01/01/2019  Shatin  Race 9

BEAUTY ONLY was slow to begin. NOTHINGILIKEMORE shifted out at the start and hampered BORN IN CHINA. Shortly after the start, ROMANTIC TOUCH was steadied away from the heels of NOTHINGILIKEMORE which was taken in by RATTAN (C Schofield). C Schofield was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. When NOTHINGILIKEMORE was shifted out to relieve the tightening to ROMANTIC TOUCH, BORN IN CHINA was steadied away from the heels of that horse. WHAT ELSE BUT YOU was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1000 Metres, CONTE was hampered when crowded for room inside MORETHANLUCKY (A Badel) which shifted in. A Badel was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. As CONTE was steadied to allow MORETHANLUCKY to cross, RATTAN and NOTHINGILIKEMORE (S de Sousa), which were following, were hampered in consequence and WINNER’S WAY, which was racing behind RATTAN, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of that horse. After the race, S de Sousa reported that after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of CONTE, his mount was left racing three wide and without cover and immediately came off the bridle. He said NOTHINGILIKEMORE did not travel well for the remainder of the race and gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of NOTHINGILIKEMORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of NOTHINGILIKEMORE, which finished at the tail of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NOTHINGILIKEMORE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 600 Metres, NOTHINGILIKEMORE raced tight outside RATTAN which shifted out marginally. WINNER’S WAY had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 150 Metres at which time the horse was shifted to the outside of PINGWU SPARK. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY ONLY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. CONTE and MORETHANLUCKY were sent for sampling.