08/07/2018  Shatin  Race 11

TAKING AIM began only fairly. MISTER MONTE shifted out at the start and bumped ROUNDABOUT, resulting in that horse being taken out onto TOP BEAUTIFUL, causing MONICA to be crowded for room inside UNICRON JEWELLERY which stumbled on jumping and shifted in. After this, MONICA was shifted across behind runners. MONGOLIAN LEGEND and PENANG HALL bumped shortly after the start. Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, UNICRON JEWELLERY failed to muster speed and near the 1300 Metres was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From wide barriers, LASTING FRIENDSHIP and ROUNDABOUT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. BOMBAY BLITZ lost its right hind plate after the 1100 Metres. Passing the 50 Metres, TAKING AIM shifted out and brushed the hindquarters of SMILING CHARM. After the race, T Berry expressed concern regarding the action of PENANG HALL. A veterinary inspection of PENANG HALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, PENANG HALL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, O Doleuze stated that LASTING FRIENDSHIP did not feel as comfortable in its action as it did last start when the horse performed well. He said he was required to ride LASTING FRIENDSHIP for a considerable distance in the middle stages of the race and when placed under pressure in the Straight the horse gave ground. A veterinary inspection of LASTING FRIENDSHIP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, LASTING FRIENDSHIP will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of TOP BEAUTIFUL, J Moreira stated that the horse did not begin as well in today’s race as it did last start when it was successful. He said as he was instructed to lead if possible, he improved his position in the early stages and commenced to shift across closer to the rail from his wide barrier. He said he was aware that MISTER MONTE was being hard ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages and he did not feel that TOP BEAUTIFUL was travelling well enough to be able to cross that horse given the actions of its rider in continuing to press forward. He said he felt that TAKING AIM was being steadied by its rider after the 1200 Metres and he had anticipated that MISTER MONTE would be able to improve its position forward of TAKING AIM and obtain the lead which would have allowed TOP BEAUTIFUL the opportunity to race outside that horse. He said however that MISTER MONTE was not able to clear TAKING AIM and was initially left racing in a three wide position, he therefore, after the 1100 Metres, steadied TOP BEAUTIFUL in order to obtain cover behind that horse. He added when TAKING AIM improved into the outright lead after the 1000 Metres, MISTER MONTE was able to shift in to race in a two wide position which resulted in TOP BEAUTIFUL racing three wide without cover as he was not able to take a trailing position behind MISTER MONTE. He said making the first turn near the 900 Metres TOP BEAUTIFUL lay out and raced on the wrong leading leg. He said because of this he was not able to improve his position forward of MISTER MONTE in the middle stages and then when SMILING CHARM shifted to the outside of TAKING AIM near the 600 Metres, this resulted in MISTER MONTE being taken out and causing TOP BEAUTIFUL to be forced into a four wide position without cover. He added TOP BEAUTIFUL came under pressure at the entrance to the Straight and then did not finish off the race. He said whilst TOP BEAUTIFUL was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race, he believed the circumstances of the race were very different from those of its most recent start when successful. A veterinary inspection of TOP BEAUTIFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TOP BEAUTIFUL, a last start winner and favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TOP BEAUTIFUL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHUNG WAH SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOP BEAUTIFUL, WINSTON’S LAD and BOMBAY BLITZ were sent for sampling. <9/7/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that SMILING CHARM was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SMILING CHARM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.