11/03/2018  Shatin  Race 4

PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT began only fairly. HONEST HORSE began awkwardly. BINGO lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected. FLYING GODSPELL and UNIQUE JOYFUL bumped at the start. From outside barriers, AMAZING SATCHMO and MANAGEMENT STAR were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1100 Metres, HONEST HORSE became unbalanced. Making the first turn, HONEST HORSE shifted out away from the heels of GOOD CHOICE AHEAD which shifted out away from behind UNIQUE JOYFUL. AMAZING SATCHMO and TRIUMPHAL WIN, which were following, were hampered in consequence. After this, AMAZING SATCHMO travelled wide and without cover. After being crossed by FLYING GODSPELL, BINGO commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of that horse approaching the 1000 Metres and in doing so raced tight inside CARE FREE PRINCE. Making the turn approaching the 900 Metres, PENZANCE was momentarily crowded for room inside NOBLE DE LOVE which got its head on the side and shifted in. Passing the 650 Metres, GOOD CHOICE AHEAD attempted to shift to the outside of UNIQUE JOYFUL as AMAZING SATCHMO was improving its position around GOOD CHOICE AHEAD. This resulted in GOOD CHOICE AHEAD bumping the hindquarters of AMAZING SATCHMO, causing both horses to be hampered. PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT made the Home Turn awkwardly. Passing the 350 Metres, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT and HONEST HORSE raced tight as PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT shifted to the outside of GOOD CHOICE AHEAD to obtain clear running. BINGO was unable to obtain clear running from on straightening until passing the 200 Metres at which time BINGO and CARE FREE PRINCE raced tight as BINGO improved into tight running between that horse and FLYING GODSPELL. K Teetan (AMAZING SATCHMO) was spoken to regarding dropping his left rein after passing the winning post and reminded of the requirement to exercise proper control when easing horses down after the race. When questioned regarding the performance of FIRE AND GOLD, C Y Ho stated that after being loaded into the barriers his mount was fractious and then as the start was effected lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. He said he had to ride his mount along for a considerable distance in the early stages to try and make up lost ground as it was hoped that FIRE AND GOLD would be positioned in front of midfield. He said he had to ride FIRE AND GOLD along throughout much of the race as it did not travel well and then in the Straight did not respond to his riding and was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He added the only explanation he could offer for the horse’s run was that FIRE AND GOLD is immature and may not have coped with having to be pressured after not beginning well. A veterinary inspection of FIRE AND GOLD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CARE FREE PRINCE and HONEST HORSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AMAZING SATCHMO and NOBLE DE LOVE were sent for sampling.