04/11/2018  Shatin  Race 10

MONGOLIAN KING was checked on jumping when crowded for room outside TURF SPRINT which shifted out. From a wide barrier, TURF SPRINT was then steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. INFINITY ENDEAVOUR began awkwardly and lost ground. COBY BOY began only fairly. Shortly after the start, COBY BOY raced tight inside CALIFORNIA JOY. Despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, CALIFORNIA JOY failed to muster speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race. Near the 400 Metres, INFINITY ENDEAVOUR was checked when crowded for room between SUPERICH (Z Purton) which initially shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to INFINITY ENDEAVOUR and HARMONY HERO (M Chadwick) which shifted out. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances whilst M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in future. Approaching the 300 Metres, COBY BOY was disappointed for running between CALIFORNIA JOY and MY DARLING which shifted out marginally. COBY BOY was then held up for clear running until near the 100 Metres. SUPERICH was badly held up for clear running from on entering the Straight until passing the 250 Metres. Throughout the race, COBY BOY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr C S Shum stated that he felt today’s race lacked horses which had shown good early speed and prior to today’s racemeeting beginning he was undecided whether GREEN ENERGY should be ridden from a wide barrier to obtain a forward position or be ridden back in the field as it was at its most recent start. He said as he felt that horses which were racing nearer the inside were advantaged in a number of today’s races, he believed that GREEN ENERGY would have had to get too far out of its ground were it to be ridden close to the rail from the rear and consequently would not be able to finish off the race as well as it did last start if the pace of the race was not strong as he anticipated. He said he therefore instructed Apprentice H T Mo, the rider of GREEN ENERGY, to ride the horse positively in the early stages and attempt to obtain a position close to the rail. He said GREEN ENERGY had previously raced well when ridden in a forward position both for him and when in the care of a previous trainer and although the horse was successful last start when ridden from the rear, he had no concerns with GREEN ENERGY being able to finish off the race today when ridden in a forward position. A veterinary inspection of COBY BOY and HARMONY HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPERICH, DRAGON GENERAL and GREEN ENERGY were sent for sampling. <5/11/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that GREEN ENERGY was lame in its left front leg with an inflamed tendon on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, GREEN ENERGY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.