08/04/2018  Shatin  Race 5

OPEN HOUSE began awkwardly. MANAGEMENT STAR was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, ENREACHING was steadied and shifted across behind runners passing the winning post on the first occasion. Shortly after the start, CROWN AVENUE and AMAZING FEELING bumped. Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, SEMPITERNAL failed to muster speed. Making the first turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, DARING HEART (K Teetan) got its head on the side and lay out and then for some distance approaching and passing the 1400 Metres hung out and was reluctant to shift in to race closer to the rail. This resulted in DARING HEART losing ground. After the race, K Teetan stated that DARING HEART, which finished at the rear of the field, in his opinion, did not appreciate racing on the All Weather surface for the first occasion today. A veterinary inspection of DARING HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Approaching the 1400 Metres, UNIQUE JOYOUS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DARING HEART as a result of that horse hanging out. For some distance after the 800 Metres, AMAZING FEELING raced tight inside ELUSIVE STATE (O Doleuze) which shifted in Then making the turn near the 700 Metres, AMAZING FEELING was further crowded for room inside ELUSIVE STATE which got its head on the side and shifted in away from OPEN HOUSE which had improved to the outside of ELUSIVE STATE. O Doleuze was advised that whilst his mount had wanted to lay in making the turn which compounded the tightening to AMAZING FEELING, nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside where circumstances permit. UNIQUE JOYOUS, which was following AMAZING FEELING, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of that horse passing the 700 Metres. Making the turn after the 700 Metres and in the Straight, SPEEDY WALLY got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 100 Metres, EXPERTO CREDE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CURLING LUXURY which was taken out by SPEEDY WALLY. UNIQUE JOYOUS, which was following EXPERTO CREDE, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in ELUSIVE STATE racing tight inside ENREACHING over the concluding stages. For the majority of the race, ELUSIVE STATE travelled wide and without cover. Throughout the race, OPEN HOUSE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of OPEN HOUSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of OPEN HOUSE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OPEN HOUSE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, D Whyte stated that although ENREACHING travelled wide throughout the race, the horse at all times had cover and therefore was somewhat disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. Also after the race, M Chadwick (MANAGEMENT STAR) stated that his saddle shifted forward rounding the first turn, placing him at a significant disadvantage for the remainder of the race. When questioned regarding his riding of SEMPITERNAL near the 100 Metres, K C Ng stated that he had to ride his mount along vigorously throughout the race to have it travel in as forward a position as possible. He said as a consequence of having to continually ride his mount throughout the race, he momentarily sat up on the horse passing the 100 Metres before resuming riding it out to the end of the race. As the Stewards were satisfied that SEMPITERNAL, which finished 5th, would not have improved its position in respect of the 4th placegetter, CURLING LUXURY, no further action was taken, however, K C Ng was told to ensure that he rides his mounts out to the end of the race so that his riding cannot be open to query. CROWN AVENUE and SPEEDY WALLY were sent for sampling.