07/07/2019  Shatin  Race 9

SPEEDY OPTIMIST shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SKY TREASURE which became unbalanced. ALL YOU NEED began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, SOLAR BILLION was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. When being steadied to obtain cover from the outside barrier, FOCUS (V Borges) proved very difficult to settle in the early stages and shifted in passing the 1100 Metres, resulting in MONKEY JEWELLERY being crowded for room inside CALLING THE SHOTS which was hampered. Whilst the Stewards acknowledged that FOCUS was proving difficult to manage at this time, nonetheless V Borges was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing crowding to other runners. After the 1000 Metres, ALL YOU NEED commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of PROMISE KEPT. Then near the 950 Metres, SPEEDY OPTIMIST, which had been hard ridden for a considerable distance to make up ground, commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was severely checked away from the heels of SKY TREASURE which was awkwardly placed behind NICE FANDANGO (H N Wong). When being severely checked, SPEEDY OPTIMIST shifted out abruptly away from the heels of SKY TREASURE, causing PROMISE KEPT to be checked when crowded for room inside YICHUN BLITZ. ALL YOU NEED, which was following PROMISE KEPT, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence, causing SUPER MODEL to be crowded for room and CALLING THE SHOTS and FOCUS to be inconvenienced. The Stewards were satisfied that this incident was primarily due to the racing manners of SPEEDY OPTIMIST and that ALL YOU NEED had been over-racing in the lead up to this incident rather than the tempo of the race reducing significantly. The Stewards also accepted that the pace of the race in the early stages had not been strong and whilst the tempo did slow marginally making the first turn, they did not believe that Jockey Wong had unduly reduced the tempo of the race so as to cause interference to runners behind. Nonetheless he was told to ensure that he is mindful of the tempo he sets in races when racing in the lead. After this, ALL YOU NEED travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, PROMISE KEPT raced tight between SOLAR BILLION which was racing tight outside MONKEY JEWELLERY and ALL YOU NEED which shifted in marginally. PROMISE KEPT lost its right front plate near the 600 Metres. NICE FANDANGO lay out rounding the Home Turn. MONKEY JEWELLERY had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the 300 Metres, H N Wong dropped his left rein. Throughout the race, YICHUN BLITZ travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered an application from Mr C S Shum, the trainer of SUPER MODEL, for that horse to be declared a non-runner on the basis that it was denied a fair start. After taking evidence from Mr Shum, M F Poon, the rider of SUPER MODEL, and Mr A Speechley, the Starter, it was established that simultaneously with the start being effected, SUPER MODEL, which was being assisted by a starting gate handler whilst in the barrier stalls, got its head up and leant against the inside of its barrier which resulted in it being slow to begin. As the Stewards were satisfied that SUPER MODEL had become fractious of its own accord as the start was effected, they ruled that horse had been afforded a fair start and accordingly was deemed to be a runner. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that YICHUN BLITZ was distressed. An endoscopic examination was also conducted on YICHUN BLITZ at the request of Trainer K H Ting. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, YICHUN BLITZ will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PROMISE KEPT, FOCUS, CALLING THE SHOTS and SUPER MODEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YICHUN BLITZ, MARVELOUS WORLD and MONKEY JEWELLERY were sent for sampling.