03/04/2019  Shatin  Race 6

NICE FANDANGO began awkwardly. NICE KICK lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then a short distance after the start lost ground when crowded for room between DR PROACTIVE and DATING which was taken out by VERY LUCKY. Despite being aggressively ridden in the early stages, KING MORTAR failed to muster speed and subsequently finished tailed out. The performance of KING MORTAR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KING MORTAR 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 KING MORTAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Passing the 700 Metres, GRAND HARBOUR was shifted out into a three wide position and without cover away from the heels of SKY TREASURE after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. Passing the 350 Metres, VERY LUCKY was checked away from the heels of NICE FANDANGO after being disappointed for running inside that horse. VERY LUCKY was then directed to the outside of NICE FANDANGO to obtain clear running. Passing the 150 Metres, EVER STRONG was directed to the outside of GRAND HARBOUR after being disappointed for running between that horse and SKY TREASURE. When questioned regarding the performance of DR PROACTIVE, Z Purton stated that shortly after the start his mount got its head on the side and shifted in away from SKY TREASURE and because of this did not show as much speed in the early stages as was anticipated. He said when a number of horses showed superior speed to DR PROACTIVE, he was left racing outside GRACIOUS RYDER after the 1000 Metres. He said he rode his mount along after the 800 Metres in an attempt to clear GRACIOUS RYDER and obtain a position behind GRAND HARBOUR, however, when GRAND HARBOUR was steadied away from the heels of SKY TREASURE, this resulted in him not being able to position DR PROACTIVE to race behind that horse and in front of GRACIOUS RYDER which required DR PROACTIVE to race wide and without cover after the 700 Metres. He said nonetheless his mount travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages and he expected DR PROACTIVE to quicken rounding the Home Turn when asked. He said however that after commencing to ride his mount along near the 500 Metres, DR PROACTIVE did not show any turn of foot and subsequently did not finish off the race as he anticipated. He added whilst there were some circumstances regarding tonight’s race, he believed that DR PROACTIVE was disappointing in its failure to quicken when asked rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. A veterinary inspection of DR PROACTIVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NICE FANDANGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NICK KICK, STAR LUCK and GRAND HARBOUR were sent for sampling.