15/04/2018  Shatin  Race 5

NOBLE DE LOVE was withdrawn on 14.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (restricted action with intermittent right fore lameness) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FLYING NOBLE (J Moreira). Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE DE LOVE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CITY LEGEND was checked on jumping when crowded for room between HONEST WAY and SUNNY POWER which, after initially shifting out of its own accord despite the efforts of its rider, was then taken out by PHOTON WILLIE which in turn was taken out by FLYING NOBLE. In this incident, HONEST WAY became unbalanced after being heavily bumped on the hindquarters by CITY LEGEND. GREAT TREASURE began only fairly. A BEAUTIFUL shifted out at the start and bumped HARD BALL GET. From a wide barrier, FORTUNE WAY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. A BEAUTIFUL travelled keenly approaching and passing the 1100 Metres. After the 900 Metres, COMPASSION STAR was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. Near the 700 Metres, after being crossed by E MASTER, A BEAUTIFUL got its head up when awkwardly placed behind that horse. A BEAUTIFUL continued to travel keenly and raced close to the heels of E MASTER for some distance. Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, NICE KICK was bumped on a number of occasions when taken wider by HONEST WAY (T Berry) which shifted to the outside of A BEAUTIFUL and COMPASSION STAR to obtain clear running. T Berry was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he must not place unnecessary pressure on other runners to obtain clear running. Near the 450 Metres, CITY LEGEND improved into tight running between A BEAUTIFUL and SUNNY POWER. FLYING NOBLE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and then had some difficulty obtaining clear running until passing the 150 Metres. Approaching and passing the 300 Metres, CITY LEGEND got its head on the side and lay in when racing tight inside SUNNY POWER. FORTUNE WAY was held up for clear running passing the 300 Metres. SUPER EURO STAR lost its right front plate approaching the 150 Metres. Approaching the 100 Metres, SUPER EURO STAR was steadied when unable to improve between PHOTON WILLIE and E MASTER. When questioned, Mr C W Chang, trainer of SUPER EURO STAR, said that as the horse was stepping up in distance to 1400 Metres today, he felt that it would not be able to finish off the race if ridden to obtain a forward position from its wide barrier. He said he therefore asked A Sanna, the rider of SUPER EURO STAR, to shift it across behind runners in the early stages and ride the horse more patiently to ensure that it was able to see out the 1400 Metres of today’s race. When questioned, A Sanna stated that after the 700 Metres he gave his mount a slap down the shoulder in the left hand as SUPER EURO STAR was becoming detached from the main body of the field. He said SUPER EURO STAR was laying in and was not travelling well and he had to ride the horse hard after the 600 Metres in an endeavour to improve its position. He said it was not until rounding the Home Turn that SUPER EURO STAR commenced to travel better and then finished off its race well in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of A BEAUTIFUL and COMPASSION STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLYING NOBLE, GREAT TREASURE and HARD BALL GET were sent for sampling.