11/01/2020  Shatin  Race 8

GRAN MASTER began awkwardly and lost ground. SALTO OLIMPICO shifted out at the start and bumped RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE. HOLY HEART was crowded for room on jumping between ENDEARING and COBY OPPA which was taken out by HANDSOME REBEL. After this, HOLY HEART was shifted across behind runners. From wide barriers, ENFOLDING, VOLPINO and HAPPY SEBRING were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1300 Metres, CROWN AVENUE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 600 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was shifted out away from the heels of HANDSOME REBEL which came under heavy pressure. Rounding the Home Turn, ENFOLDING got its head on the side and lay in. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LAST KINGDOM, L Hewitson stated that the circumstances of the race were significantly different from its last start when the horse was successful. He said, in his opinion, LAST KINGDOM appreciated the wet slow track condition last start and was also favoured by having an uncontested lead. He said the connections of LAST KINGDOM had some concerns regarding the horse having to back up as quickly as it did after its last start success, but the programme was such that it was decided to run LAST KINGDOM in this race. He said LAST KINGDOM was more relaxed in today’s race than it was at its last start which indicated to him that today’s race may have come too soon. He said although LAST KINGDOM was not able to obtain an uncontested lead due to ENDEARING crossing his mount after the 1100 Metres, the horse still travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages. He added after being shifted to the outside of ENDEARING approaching the 600 Metres, his mount lay in rounding the Home Turn and then gave ground quickly in the early part of the Straight to finish at the rear of the field. A veterinary inspection of LAST KINGDOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LAST KINGDOM, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LAST KINGDOM 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 COBY OPPA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAR SLAM and RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE were sent for sampling.