01/07/2019  Shatin  Race 10

ASSIMILATE lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between WINNING DELIGHT which was taken out by SOLAR WAI WAI and COBY BOY which shifted in abruptly and then was taken in by CIRCUIT HASSLER. FALCON TURBO was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, JADE THEATRE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1100 Metres, SOLAR WAI WAI was crowded for room inside HAPPY LIFELINE (G van Niekerk) which, when being ridden along to improve forward of SOLAR WAI WAI, then shifted in away from the heels of PRIVATE ROCKET which was being steadied to obtain cover. In the circumstances, G van Niekerk was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for riders to his inside when attempting to improve his position forward of other runners. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, ASSIMILATE shifted out away from the heels of WINNING DELIGHT and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of JADE THEATRE which became unbalanced and was checked away from the heels of CRUCIATUS. Then passing the 800 Metres, CRUCIATUS was shifted out away from behind BEAUTY APPLAUSE which was racing close to the heels of HAPPY LIFELINE. Approaching the 400 Metres, HAPPY LIFELINE made contact with the hindquarters of PRIVATE ROCKET due to both horses shifting marginally. PRIVATE ROCKET then became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in HAPPY LIFELINE being taken in onto SOLAR WAI WAI and being steadied. SOLAR WAI WAI was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. COBY BOY had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, WINNING DELIGHT was shifted to the inside of SOLAR WAI WAI after being disappointed for running between that horse and PRIVATE ROCKET. WINNING DELIGHT was then shifted to the inside of CIRCUIT HASSLER near the 200 Metres to continue improving. Throughout the race, STAR MAJESTIC travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of BEAUTY APPLAUSE, J Moreira stated that it was intended to lead today’s race. He said just prior to the start being effected, BEAUTY APPLAUSE put its head down and because of this began only fairly and then BEAUTY APPLAUSE lost further ground when crowded for room between SPEEDY LUCK and PRIVATE ROCKET which shifted in after being bumped by STAR MAJESTIC. He said this resulted in BEAUTY APPLAUSE being positioned towards the rear of the field and him having to ride his mount along in the early stages to obtain as prominent a position as possible. He said passing the 900 Metres he was able to shift in to race one horse off the rail behind HAPPY LIFELINE and then near the 800 Metres BEAUTY APPLAUSE commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind HAPPY LIFELINE for some distance. He said at the 500 Metres he shifted BEAUTY APPLAUSE to the outside of STAR MAJESTIC into clear running, however, BEAUTY APPLAUSE did not quicken as he anticipated and then did not finish off the race. He added whilst BEAUTY APPLAUSE was required to race further back in the field than had been intended, nonetheless the horse was very disappointing in that it did not respond to his riding at any stage rounding the Home Turn or in the Straight. The performance of BEAUTY APPLAUSE, favourite for today’s race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY APPLAUSE 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 BEAUTY APPLAUSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of PRIVATE ROCKET, C Y Ho stated that after being able to obtain a forward position as anticipated, PRIVATE ROCKET travelled only fairly in the run. He said rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight PRIVATE ROCKET raced greenly and shifted ground as it did at its last start when ridden by him. He said after becoming unbalanced in the early part of the Straight, PRIVATE ROCKET came under pressure and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race over the final stages. A veterinary inspection of PRIVATE ROCKET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY APPLAUSE, WINNING DELIGHT and ASSIMILATE were sent for sampling.