18/03/2018  Shatin  Race 4

AMAZING AGILITY, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin. GOLDFIELD shifted out at the start and bumped ZILONG. From wide barriers, HO HO FEEL, CHEERFUL GIGGLES and BULLISH GLORY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, GRAND CHANCELLOR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLDFIELD which was racing tight inside ZILONG. After this, ENSURING and GRAND CHANCELLOR raced tight approaching the 1700 Metres. Passing the 1500 Metres, BULLISH GLORY commenced to prove very difficult to settle and near the 1450 Metres blundered when being severely checked away from the heels of HO HO FEEL. Approaching the 1000 Metres, HO HO FEEL was shifted out away from the heels of CHEERFUL GIGGLES which was awkwardly placed behind VICTORY BOYS. Passing the 500 Metres, CONSORT was crowded for room between ENSURING and HAPPY ROCKY which was taken out by GRAND CHANCELLOR which, when improving to the outside of FEARLESS FIRE, was taken out further by that horse which shifted out. AMAZING AGILITY, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of CONSORT in consequence. Making the Home Turn, ENSURING shifted out and made contact with VICTORY BOYS which was inconvenienced. Near the 350 Metres, GOLDFIELD was steadied away from the heels of VICTORY BOYS (B Prebble) which shifted in. B Prebble was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in future. After initially being taken in by VICTORY BOYS, GOLDFIELD (D Whyte) shifted out marginally passing the 300 Metres, resulting in CONSORT being crowded for room between GOLDFIELD and CHEERFUL GIGGLES which also shifted in marginally. GOLDFIELD then became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by CONSORT and shifted out further, resulting in CONSORT being checked when crowded for room between GOLDFIELD and CHEERFUL GIGGLES. ENSURING, which was following, was hampered in consequence. D Whyte was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst there were some circumstances associated with this incident, namely the initial shift from VICTORY BOYS and the minor contribution from CHEERFUL GIGGLES, nonetheless he has a responsibility to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground, causing interference to other runners. Approaching the 300 Metres, ENSURING, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of CHEERFUL GIGGLES (Z Purton) which shifted in. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care. Also approaching the 300 Metres, HAPPY ROCKY was shifted to the inside of the heels of ZILONG to obtain clear running. After the race, N Callan reported that as ENSURING is somewhat one-paced, he shifted out to improve his position prior to the 600 Metres. He said he expected ENSURING would quicken when asked rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, however, ENSURING came under immediate pressure and did not improve its position as he anticipated it would. He added although ENSURING was inconvenienced passing the 300 Metres, the horse was well beaten at this time and, in his opinion, raced "flat” today. A veterinary inspection of ENSURING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ZILONG immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ZILONG will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that GOLDFIELD had sustained a small wound to the outside of the right hind cannon. CONSORT, GRAND CHANCELLOR and GIANT TURTLE were sent for sampling.