15/04/2018  Shatin  Race 11

GREAT HONOUR began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from the outside barrier, EAGLE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. LASTING FRIENDSHIP raced in restricted room shortly after the start between VICTORY MACHINE and HEZTHEWONFORUS which shifted out. HEZTHEWONFORUS then became unbalanced after making contact with LASTING FRIENDSHIP. Near the 1050 Metres, RIGHT CALL was steadied to avoid the heels of VICTORY MACHINE (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted in when not properly clear. Apprentice Poon was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground. When RIGHT CALL was steadied, ALL BEST FRIENDS was inconvenienced when racing close to the heels of SO FAST. Passing the 1000 Metres, HEZTHEWONFORUS got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain cover behind RIGHT CALL. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, VICTORY MACHINE and ORIONIDS made contact due to both horses shifting ground. A short distance later, VICTORY MACHINE was hampered when racing tight between WINNING SUPREME and ORIONIDS which became unbalanced and lay in before being corrected by its rider. After the 800 Metres, HEZTHEWONFORUS got its head up when awkwardly placed behind RIGHT CALL. Passing the 500 Metres, ALL BEST FRIENDS raced in restricted room inside HEZTHEWONFORUS which improved into tight running inside RIGHT CALL. Approaching the 200 Metres, EAGLE (U Rispoli), which was closing off the race strongly, was shifted in abruptly away from the heels of ORIONIDS and in doing so shifted in towards the heels of SO FAST. EAGLE was then severely checked passing the 200 Metres when disappointed for running between ORIONIDS and SO FAST which got its head on the side and shifted out away from VICTORY MACHINE. U Rispoli stated that leaving the 300 Metres he considered improving to the outside of ORIONIDS and inside SUPER WISE, however, as that run was commencing to become tight, he elected to shift to the inside of ORIONIDS as he felt that this option would present him with the best chance to obtain uninterrupted running. He said however that due to EAGLE having to be shifted in abruptly away from the heels of ORIONIDS and SO FAST shifting out, this resulted in EAGLE being badly checked when disappointed for running. GREAT HONOUR was not able to obtain clear running over the final 200 Metres and consequently was not able to be tested. Passing the 100 Metres, RIGHT CALL was steadied when awkwardly placed behind VICTORY MACHINE which was giving ground. Throughout the race, ORIONIDS travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of ORIONIDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of RIGHT CALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WIN BEAUTY WIN and HEZTHEWONFORUS were sent for sampling.