25/11/2018  Shatin  Race 7

PRAWN BABA was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, PRAWN BABA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From the outside barriers, RISE HIGH, DINOZZO and RATTAN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, ROMANTIC TOUCH failed to muster speed. Passing the 1200 Metres, ROMANTIC TOUCH was awkwardly placed behind SIMPLY BRILLIANT. After the 1200 Metres, SIMPLY BRILLIANT was left racing wide and without cover. WHAT ELSE BUT YOU had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 300 Metres, ROMANTIC TOUCH was steadied when crowded for room between DINOZZO (S Clipperton) which, after initially being directed out by HORSE OF FORTUNE, then shifted out further and NORTHERN SUPERSTAR which shifted in marginally. S Clipperton was reprimanded and advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, principally the initial shift from HORSE OF FORTUNE and the latter shift from NORTHERN SUPERSTAR, nonetheless he would be expected to make more of an effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. When questioned, K C Leung (SUPER TURBO) stated that as horses that had been able to race in a forward position had been advantaged in earlier races, it was decided to make use of the barrier and have SUPER TURBO race slightly more forward than previously. He said after beginning well on SUPER TURBO, he rode his mount along and was initially content to race outside GOOD STANDING. He said when it became apparent that that horse was not going to shift across to race on the rail, he then allowed his mount to improve its position after the 1400 Metres to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said when he became aware that GOOD STANDING was not going to shift to the rail, he believed he would have had to restrain SUPER TURBO heavily to take a trailing position behind that horse. He said this resulted in SUPER TURBO racing more forward than had been intended. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GOOD STANDING, D Whyte stated that, in his opinion, the horse did not appreciate the track conditions. He said he had ridden the horse previously and it had responded well when placed under pressure. He said in today’s race GOOD STANDING came under pressure after the 600 Metres and did not respond to his riding thereafter which is unusual for the horse given the manner in which it had finished off its races previously. A veterinary inspection of GOOD STANDING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MORETHANLUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RISE HIGH, SIMPLY BRILLIANT and WHAT ELSE BUT YOU were sent for sampling. <26/11/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that SUPER TURBO was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER TURBO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.