18/05/2019  Shatin  Race 8

At declaration time, U Rispoli was declared as the rider of both SURREALISM and GREEN CARD. It was established that U Rispoli had a firm commitment to ride GREEN CARD. As such, the Stewards permitted K C Leung to be substituted as the rider of SURREALISM. For this declaration error, Trainer D E Ferraris was fined $2,000. From wide barriers, WAR ROOM and CHAIRMAN LO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, INVINCIBLE MISSILE shifted in and bumped CONFUCIUS DAY. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, CIRCUIT HASSLER was slow to muster speed and near the 1250 Metres momentarily raced in restricted room between WECARE N PROSPER which shifted out after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SURREALISM and INVINCIBLE MISSILE which shifted in. After this, WECARE N PROSPER proved very difficult to settle and for a considerable distance had to be checked away from the heels of SURREALISM. When continuing to prove very difficult to settle, WECARE N PROSPER shifted out away from the heels of SURREALISM near the 1050 Metres and bumped CIRCUIT HASSLER. Approaching the 1000 Metres, WAR ROOM was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of CHAIRMAN LO. Near the 750 Metres, MIGHTY POWER commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of GREEN CARD. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GREEN CARD, U Rispoli stated that, from the inside barrier, he was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to make too much use of the horse. He said he initially rode his mount along as he did not want to be crossed by SURREALISM as he did not believe that this would be a horse that could take him into the race. He said after maintaining its position to the inside of SURREALISM, GREEN CARD travelled comfortably and after being crossed by HIGH VOLATILITY near the 900 Metres continued to travel well. He said he was confident that GREEN CARD would finish off the race well rounding the Home Turn and he therefore commenced to shift away from the rail to follow INVINCIBLE MISSILE as he felt that this horse would finish off the race well. He added shortly after entering the Straight GREEN CARD immediately came under heavy pressure and despite being ridden along gave ground noticeably by comparison to HIGH VOLATILITY and INVINCIBLE MISSILE approaching the 300 Metres. He said GREEN CARD continued to lose ground despite being tested and at no stage in the Straight did the horse respond to his riding. He said he had trialed GREEN CARD in the lead up to this race and the trial, in his opinion, was acceptable given that GREEN CARD does not appreciate the All Weather Track surface. Mr J Moore, the trainer of GREEN CARD, stated that, in his opinion, the horse was not suited by being ridden to obtain a position behind the lead. He said GREEN CARD performs best when ridden slightly more conservatively in a position midfield or just in advance of midfield and he believed that GREEN CARD having to race without cover until being crossed by HIGH VOLATILITY near the 900 Metres was the principal reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. He said he was satisfied with the trial of GREEN CARD leading up to today’s race and he considered the horse to be a strong chance of winning this race based on its barrier trial and its recent form. Mr Moore advised that, wherever possible, he would have the horse ridden more quietly than it was today. The performance of GREEN CARD, a last start winner and which finished towards the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREEN CARD 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 GREEN CARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH VOLATILITY and INVINCIBLE MISSILE were sent for sampling.