10/11/2018  Shatin  Race 4

GOLDEN SUN was very fractious in the Parade Ring and prior to entering the track. After entering the track GOLDEN SUN refused to proceed to the Start and, when riderless, then got away from its handler and took some time to be recaptured. GOLDEN SUN was withdrawn from the race by order of the Stewards. Before being permitted to race again, GOLDEN SUN will be required to undergo a satisfactory parade test and also to proceed to the Start in a satisfactory manner prior to undergoing a barrier trial. GRATWICK began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR shifted in and bumped ENDEARING. When being steadied to obtain cover in the early stages, CAO CAO got its head up on a number of occasions. From a wide barrier, ZERO HEDGE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being hard ridden for some distance in the early stages, COMPLACENCY failed to muster speed. Passing the 1000 Metres, when being steadied to obtain cover behind GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR, ZERO HEDGE got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse which itself raced tight outside ENDEARING. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, GRATWICK got its head on the side and lay out. GRATWICK continued to lay out and passing the 700 Metres was awkwardly placed inside CAO CAO. Then after the 700 Metres, GRATWICK became unbalanced of its own accord. Passing the 500 Metres, ZERO HEDGE, when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR, became unbalanced after being bumped by SMART PATCH. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was instructed to ride KASI FARASI, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong, in a forward position behind the leaders if possible. He said for some distance in the early stages he rode his mount along in order to clear VICTORY MACHINE to his inside which was racing in a position one horse off the rail. He said whilst KASI FARASI showed fair early speed, VICTORY MACHINE was able to maintain its position inside KASI FARASI passing the 1000 Metres. He said after being ridden along to hold its position inside KASI FARASI, VICTORY MACHINE then travelled strongly inside his mount and he felt that he was only able to obtain about a half length margin over VICTORY MACHINE. He said based on the manner in which VICTORY MACHINE was travelling, he believed that he would have had to make too much use of KASI FARASI to improve his position sufficiently to be able to cross that horse and as he anticipated that VICTORY MACHINE would continue to be ridden along to maintain its position rather than allowing KASI FARASI to cross, then by using up KASI FARASI more to cross VICTORY MACHINE would not be in the best interests of his horse. He said he therefore elected to remain racing in a three wide position outside VICTORY MACHINE. Throughout the race, COMPLACENCY travelled very wide and without cover. After the race, C Schofield expressed concern regarding the action of TEAM SPIRIT. A veterinary inspection of TEAM SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, TEAM SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of SMART PATCH, Z Purton stated that, as instructed, he shifted SMART PATCH across behind runners in the early stages from barrier 11. He said SMART PATCH travelled only fairly during the race and then did not quicken when placed under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn. He said he continued to ride SMART PATCH along in the Straight, however, the horse failed to respond to his riding and then did not finish off the race. The performance of SMART PATCH, favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMART PATCH 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 SMART PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ENDEARING and COMPLACENCY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SMART PATCH, VICTORY MACHINE and MUSIC ADDITION were sent for sampling.