04/11/2018  Shatin  Race 5

The tongue tie fitted to PRECIOUS SWEETIE was replaced behind the barriers. ROMANTIC CHEF was crowded for room on jumping between C P POWER which was bumped by COMPASSION STAR and PRECIOUS SWEETIE which shifted in abruptly at the start despite the efforts of its rider. VITAL SPRING shifted out at the start and bumped HAPPY FORCE which became unbalanced. Then, despite being ridden along in the early stages, VITAL SPRING was slow to muster speed and after the 1300 Metres was steadied to obtain cover when racing wide. From the outside barriers, FANTASTIC SHOW and BEST GIFT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1050 Metres, EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE was steadied away from the heels of ENERGETIC CLASS (D Whyte) which shifted in when not properly clear. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. At the 1000 Metres, when being steadied in an attempt to obtain a position with cover behind EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE, FOLLOW ME was awkwardly placed outside that horse which, when travelling keenly, shifted out marginally. After this, FOLLOW ME was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 900 Metres, C P POWER was bumped by COMPASSION STAR which made the turn awkwardly. Passing the 800 Metres, BEST GIFT commenced to travel keenly and improved to be racing tight inside VITAL SPRING and outside ROMANTIC CHEF. FANTASTIC SHOW, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of ROMANTIC CHEF in consequence near the 750 Metres. After the 800 Metres, COMPASSION STAR got its head up when awkwardly placed behind HIGH REV. HAPPY FORCE got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn and continued to lay out under pressure in the Straight. At the entrance to the Straight, VITAL SPRING was shifted out away from the heels of PRECIOUS SWEETIE. Approaching the 150 Metres, ROMANTIC CHEF momentarily raced tight inside BRAVE BABY which shifted in marginally. Near the 150 Metres, C P POWER was steadied away from the heels of PRECIOUS SWEETIE (G van Niekerk) which shifted in. G van Niekerk was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts. A veterinary inspection of COMPASSION STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SMILING PRIDE and FOLLOW ME were sent for sampling.