11/05/2019  Shatin  Race 6

BEAUTY APPLAUSE shifted out on jumping and bumped FRESH POWER. Then a short distance after the start, FRESH POWER was crowded for room between BEAUTY APPLAUSE which was taken out by VOYAGE STAR and JIMSON THE DRAGON which raced tight inside SUNSHINE WARRIOR. SUNSHINE WARRIOR was then steadied when crowded for room between JIMSON THE DRAGON and LITTLE ISLAND which shifted in after becoming balanced when contacted on the hindquarters by SUNSHINE WARRIOR and when also racing tight inside DIAMOND DRAGON. These incidents resulted in FRESH POWER, SUNSHINE WARRIOR and LITTLE ISLAND losing ground a short distance after the start. From the outside barriers, SUPER EIGHTEEN and SNORLAX were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SPEEDY DRAGON became unbalanced when momentarily racing tight inside EPTIMUM. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, SUNSHINE WARRIOR was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FRESH POWER which made the turn awkwardly. LITTLE ISLAND, which was following SUNSHINE WARRIOR, was inconvenienced in consequence. Near the 900 Metres, DIAMOND DRAGON was left racing wide and without cover and then making the turn after the 900 Metres hung out. Passing the 250 Metres, SUNSHINE WARRIOR improved into tight running between DIAMOND DRAGON and JIMSON THE DRAGON which shifted out. Then near the 150 Metres, SUNSHINE WARRIOR raced tight inside DIAMOND DRAGON. Over the concluding stages, SUNSHINE WARRIOR was unable to obtain clear running behind EPTIMUM and inside DIAMOND DRAGON and consequently was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JIMSON THE DRAGON, Z Purton stated that his mount travelled well in the early and middle stages. He said after being shifted to the outside of SPEEDY DRAGON and into clear running at the entrance to the Straight, JIMSON THE DRAGON commenced to lay out under pressure and did not quicken as he expected it would. He said near the 200 Metres he felt as though another horse may have got on JIMSON THE DRAGON behind as the horse lost its action at this time. He said he persisted in riding JIMSON THE DRAGON for a short distance, however, its action deteriorated noticeably after the 200 Metres and as JIMSON THE DRAGON was well beaten at this time and as he had concerns as to whether the horse may have been galloped on, he eased it down over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of JIMSON THE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, JIMSON THE DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUPER EIGHTEEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY APPLAUSE and SPEEDY DRAGON were sent for sampling.