08/04/2018  Shatin  Race 4

BORNTOACHIEVE, which was fractious in the barriers, bounded in the air as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. CALIFORNIA ASPAR shifted out at the start and bumped TRIUMPHANT JEWEL. From the outside barriers, CALLING THE SHOTS and LAMAROSA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 800 Metres, BORNTOACHIEVE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of CALLING THE SHOTS. Making the turns and particularly in the Straight, VICTORIA STAR hung out and proved very difficult to ride. In the early part of the Straight, INTREPIC and TRIUMPHANT JEWEL raced tight. Passing the 350 Metres, TOP BEAUTIFUL was held up when attempting to improve into tight running between MR RIGHT and CALIFORNIA ASPAR which shifted in marginally. Passing the 200 Metres, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL was inconvenienced by VICTORIA STAR (M L Yeung) which hung out despite the efforts of its rider to correct the horse. Because of this, M L Yeung was not able to properly test VICTORIA STAR which then continued to hang out. The racing manners of VICTORIA STAR were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORIA STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. Throughout the race, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL travelled wide and without cover. After the race, U Rispoli expressed concern over the action of MR RIGHT. A veterinary inspection of MR RIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, MR RIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, C Schofield stated that shortly after entering the Straight he attempted to shift WISHFUL THINKER out into running which became available between INTREPIC and SOLAR PATCH. He said WISHFUL THINKER commenced to hang in as it had done in its previous starts. He said WISHFUL THINKER continued to hang in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of SOLAR PATCH, resulting in WISHFUL THINKER being awkwardly placed behind that horse until over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding his riding of LAMAROSA rounding the Home Turn and in the Home Straight, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he placed the horse under pressure rounding the Home Turn to improve its position. He said he became concerned with the action of LAMAROSA as the horse did not appear to stretch out comfortably and he was reluctant to place it under heavy pressure as he felt that all may not be well with it. He said LAMAROSA lay in in the early part of the Straight and then put in a bad stride approaching the 200 Metres and dipped. He said he then gathered up LAMAROSA and commenced to place the horse under pressure and whilst the horse made some ground in the run to the line, it did not appear to be stretching out comfortably. A subsequent veterinary inspection of LAMAROSA revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, LAMAROSA will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Apprentice Wong was reminded of his obligation to report to Stewards or Veterinary Officers any concerns he has regarding a horse as soon as practicable after the race so that a veterinary inspection could be undertaken at the earliest opportunity. Apprentice Wong was also advised that his explanation in respect of his riding of the horse in the Straight would be reported. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he was asked to have LEAN PERFECTION racing where it was comfortable. He said LEAN PERFECTION did not begin well, as had been the case in a number of its previous starts, and then despite being ridden along in the early stages was required to race behind midfield. He said in the early part of the Straight he shifted LEAN PERFECTION out to follow TOP BEAUTIFUL as he anticipated that that horse would be able to improve between MR RIGHT and CALIFORNIA ASPAR and take him into the race. He said when TOP BEAUTIFUL was not able to immediately improve between MR RIGHT and CALIFORNIA ASPAR, he directed his mount to the inside of TOP BEAUTIFUL and after this obtained clear running. He added LEAN PERFECTION initially responded well to his riding, however, over the concluding stages he believed that the horse’s run ended. He said LEAN PERFECTION had risen in the ratings and that this may have some effect on the horse’s failure to finish off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of LEAN PERFECTION 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, LEAN PERFECTION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LEAN PERFECTION, SOLAR PATCH and WISHFUL THINKER were sent for sampling.