03/11/2019  Shatin  Race 8

TRIUMPHANT ARCH was withdrawn on 31.10.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right fore tendon strain) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter REGENCY BO BO. BEAUTY ENERGY was withdrawn on 1.11.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter GAYSON (R Bayliss). MIGHTY MAVERICK was withdrawn on 2.11.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT ARCH, BEAUTY ENERGY and MIGHTY MAVERICK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When proceeding to the saddling area, CLASSIC POSH became fractious, resulting in the horse shifting its left hind plate. CLASSIC POSH was replated and examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. GAYSON was crowded for room on jumping between INTERSTELLAR and PRINCE OF GEMS which shifted out. From wide barriers, MR ALDAN and GO BALLISTIC were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After obtaining the lead in the early stages, PRINCE OF GEMS travelled very keenly and got its head up for some distance when attempting to be steadied by its rider. When being shifted across behind runners, MR ALDAN shifted in abruptly passing the 1300 Metres and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of JOYFUL MOMENTS which was also being steadied to obtain cover. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, MONEY BACK got its head on the side, lay out and consequently became awkwardly placed inside the heels of FLYING VICTORY near the 800 Metres. MONEY BACK then continued to lay out making the Home Turn. After the 800 Metres, GO BALLISTIC was steadied away from the heels of GAYSON. Passing the 250 Metres, MR ALDAN was directed to the outside of JOYFUL MOMENTS to continue improving. For some distance after the 200 Metres, PICKEN was held up behind PRINCE OF GEMS and inside REGENCY BO BO after being disappointed for running between those two horses. This resulted in PICKEN not being able to be properly tested. Near the 150 Metres, MONEY BACK, which continued to lay out under pressure in the Straight, was shifted to the outside of CLASSIC POSH. Throughout the race, CLASSIC POSH travelled wide and without cover. PICKEN, FLYING VICTORY and REGENCY BO BO were sent for sampling.