21/04/2018  Shatin  Race 10

As the start was effected, PENANG HALL lifted its head and consequently was very slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, PENANG HALL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. XIANG BAI QI began only fairly. REGENCY BO BO began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, TURIN REDSTAR and GUNNISON were crowded for room inside INFINITY ENDEAVOUR which shifted in when being steadied to obtain a position with cover from a wide barrier. After this, TURIN REDSTAR was also shifted across from a wide barrier to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, HARMONY HERO was steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, TURIN REDSTAR was awkwardly placed behind GUNNISON which was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. When awkwardly placed behind GUNNISON, TURIN REDSTAR shifted in and bumped HARMONY HERO which in turn shifted in, resulting in WORLD RECORD and FORTUNE BOOTH being momentarily crowded for room. GUNNISON was then allowed to stride forward to improve its position and near the 850 Metres was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of ALMABABY to prevent causing interference to GREAT PROFIT and COBY BOY. GUNNISON continued to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, WORLD RECORD got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of HARMONY HERO. After the 700 Metres, TURIN REDSTAR was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, APOLLO’S CHOICE raced tight between GREAT PROFIT and FORTUNE BOOTH when attempting to improve into tight running between those horses. Approaching the 300 Metres, APOLLO’S CHOICE raced tight outside FORTUNE BOOTH (T Berry) which shifted out. Then passing the 300 Metres, APOLLO’S CHOICE was steadied and after some distance shifted to the inside of FORTUNE BOOTH to obtain clear running. T Berry was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. For some distance after the 300 Metres, HARMONY HERO was badly held up for clear running and passing the 200 Metres shifted to the outside of GUNNISON to obtain clear running and in doing so inconvenienced PEOPLE’S KNIGHT. A veterinary inspection of HARMONY HERO immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HARMONY HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of PEOPLE’S KNIGHT, Apprentice C Wong stated that in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said PEOPLE’S KNIGHT travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages, however, came under pressure rounding the Home Turn at which time the horse appeared to shorten in its action. He said after failing to show any turn of foot in the early part of the Straight, PEOPLE’S KNIGHT was then disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of PEOPLE’S KNIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PEOPLE’S KNIGHT, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PEOPLE’S KNIGHT 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, J Moreira (GUNNISON) stated that, from an outside barrier, he was left racing very wide after the 1200 Metres. He said it had been hoped that GUNNISON would be able to obtain cover in the early stages as it was attempting the 1400 Metres for the first time. He said after being unable to obtain cover, he elected to ride his mount along in the hope that he would be able to obtain a more forward position, however, he was still unable to obtain cover on GUNNISON which resulted in the horse continuing to have to race wide and without cover. He said when improving his position in an attempt to avoid racing unnecessarily wide, he was forced to ride the horse along as the tempo of the race in the middle stages was quite strong. He said due to the circumstances of the race in the early and middle stages, GUNNISON was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of GUNNISON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HARMONY HERO, COBY BOY and FORTUNE BOOTH were sent for sampling.