01/01/2019  Shatin  Race 11

DEFINING MOMENT was slow to begin. HAPPY SEBRING began only fairly. CROWN AVENUE shifted in at the start and hampered SMART PATCH. AMAZING CHOCOLATE was hampered on jumping by ENCOURAGING which shifted in. After this, AMAZING CHOCOLATE was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. KA YING LEGEND shifted out at the start and inconvenienced WAIKUKU. From a wide barrier, SALTO OLIMPICO was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. After the 1000 Metres, INCREDIBLE was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, LADY FIRST commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of WAIKUKU. After this, LADY FIRST raced tight inside ENCOURAGING. Approaching the 600 Metres, HAPPY SEBRING improved into tight running between BABA MAMA which was awkwardly placed behind DIAMOND RHYME and LADY FIRST which, when continuing to race tight inside ENCOURAGING, was checked away from the heels of WAIKUKU which at this time raced tight outside DIAMOND RHYME. HAPPY SEBRING was then checked near the 600 Metres when unable to maintain its position between LADY FIRST which became unbalanced when racing close to the heels of WAIKUKU and BABA MAMA which continued to prove difficult to settle and race close to the heels of DIAMOND RHYME. When HAPPY SEBRING was checked, that horse shifted in and crowded SMART PATCH which was checked and lost ground. As the Stewards were satisfied that this incident did not result from carelessness being exhibited by any rider but rather the tempo of the race at this time, no further action was taken. At the entrance to the Straight, WAIKUKU (J Moreira) shifted to the outside of COMFORT LIFE to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with INCREDIBLE which became badly unbalanced and shifted out abruptly, resulting in ENCOURAGING being hampered. J Moreira was advised that whilst he had not placed undue pressure on INCREDIBLE at this time, nonetheless he must exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. BABA MAMA had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, LADY FIRST was bumped by BABA MAMA which shifted out marginally. When questioned regarding the performance of DIAMOND RHYME, Z Purton stated that his mount was very fractious in the barriers and got its head into the adjoining stall. He said when the horse’s head was corrected, DIAMOND RHYME again became fractious, however, stood better and as the start was effected was able to jump on terms with the field. He said DIAMOND RHYME travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages and when improving between KA YING LEGEND and COMFORT LIFE, DIAMOND RHYME momentarily raced in restricted room passing the 350 Metres, however, after this came under pressure and was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND RHYME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. After the race, LADY FIRST was observed to have blood at the left nostril. An endoscopic examination of LADY FIRST confirmed that horse not to have bled. WAIKUKU and BABA MAMA were sent for sampling.