18/05/2019  Shatin  Race 9

After being loaded into the barriers, KINGS SHIELD became fractious, kicked out and got both hind legs over the back gate for some time. Acting on veterinary advice that KINGS SHIELD was not suitable to race, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, KINGS SHIELD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPLENDID TIMING shifted in at the start and bumped UNCLE STEVE. From wide barriers, TANGMERE, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS and EXALTATION were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, MONSTER KAKA got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped BEAUTY DAY. BEAUTY DAY then became unbalanced near the 1400 Metres after bumping with MONSTER KAKA. UNCLE STEVE lost its right hind plate near the 1350 Metres. Passing the 1000 Metres KING PRINT commenced to travel keenly and had to be checked away from the heels of UNCLE STEVE for some distance. BEAUTY ICON was held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 300 Metres. Approaching the 250 Metres, SPLENDID TIMING was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CHEERS VANQUISHER which shifted out abruptly and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BEAUTY DAY. CHEERS VANQUISHER then shifted back in, inconveniencing BEAUTY ICON. Approaching and passing the 100 Metres, BEAUTY DAY shifted out under pressure. When questioned, J Moreira (CORDYCEPS) stated that after riding his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, CORDYCEPS did not show as much speed as runners to its inside, primarily BEAUTY DAY. He said the race in the early stages was being run at a good tempo and for this reason he did not continue to press forward on CORDYCEPS as he believed that he would have had to make too much use of the horse when the race was already being run at a good tempo. He said whilst the pace of the race did ease somewhat after the 1200 Metres, he felt that he would have had to make considerable use of CORDYCEPS to be able to improve sufficiently to clear BEAUTY DAY to his inside and in any case would have continued to race without cover as he would have only been able to achieve a position outside CHEERS VANQUISHER. He said as CORDYCEPS was travelling well, he felt that remaining racing comfortably in a three wide position would provide the horse the best opportunity to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of ZHAN JIANG ROCKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. UNCLE STEVE and CORDYCEPS were sent for sampling.