23/02/2020  Shatin  Race 5

As the start was effected, BRAVE KING became fractious and bumped the outside of its stall, resulting in the horse being slow to begin. UNIQUE TREASURE was tightened for room on jumping between RIGHT HONOURABLE and STAY CHILL, both of which shifted ground. From the outside barrier, FEARLESS FIRE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, UNIQUE TREASURE, which was traveling keenly, got its head up when being shifted in behind SPECIAL STARS which was steadied to obtain cover behind SUPER JUNIOR. After this, UNIQUE TREASURE continued to prove very difficult to settle and passing the 1000 Metres again got its head up when awkwardly placed behind SPECIAL STARS. GRATEFUL HEART made the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in ALL IN MIND being steadied away from the heels of that horse near the 850 Metres. GRATEFUL HEART then travelled keenly in the middle stages. For some distance after the 800 Metres, FEARLESS FIRE commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of VICTORIAM which was awkwardly placed behind SPECIAL STARS. VICTORIAM then shifted out away from the heels of SPECIAL STARS approaching the 700 Metres. HERCULES, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. LUCKY PUZZLE commenced to lay out after the 600 Metres and then hung out rounding the Home Turn. Passing the 400 Metres, ALL IN MIND raced in restricted room inside STAR LUCK. Near the 350 Metres, HERCULES was shifted out across the heels of LUCKY PUZZLE to obtain clear running. Approaching the 300 Metres, UNIQUE TREASURE was shifted out from behind ALL IN MIND to obtain clear running. At the 250 Metres, UNIQUE TREASURE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ALL IN MIND. Passing the 150 Metres, HERCULES was awkwardly placed outside the heels of VICTORIAM which shifted out under pressure. Passing the 100 Metres, HERCULES was shifted to the inside of VICTORIAM and then close to the finishing line was shifted in away from the heels of RIGHT HONOURABLE. Approaching the 100 Metres, GRATEFUL HEART shifted out and bumped STAR LUCK, causing both horses to become unbalanced and GRATEFUL HEART to shift in and inconvenience GOOD BEAUTY. Throughout the race, STAR LUCK travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Moreira stated that after discussing race tactics with connections in the Parade Ring, it was agreed, from a wide barrier, to ride VICTORIAM in about a midfield position if possible. He said because of the circumstances of the race he had to position VICTORIAM slightly further back in the field than had been anticipated and he was able to obtain cover behind SPECIAL STARS near the 900 Metres just worse than midfield. He said VICTORIAM over-raced in the middle stages and he had to shift his mount away from the heels of SPECIAL STARS, however, remained racing with cover. He said he shifted VICTORIAM to the outside of LUCKY PUZZLE rounding the Home Turn and the horse commenced to improve into the race, however, at the 300 Metres became unbalanced in its action and then did not finish off the race as strongly as he anticipated. He said he continued to ride his mount along all the way to the end of the race, however, he was not happy with the action of VICTORIAM over the concluding stages. He added VICTORIAM pulled up very quickly after the race and again did not feel comfortable in its action when returning to the unsaddling area. Mr K W Lui, the trainer of VICTORIAM, stated that he had no preconceived idea on how VICTORIAM should be ridden prior to speaking to Jockey Moreira about the matter in the Parade Ring. He said after discussing race tactics with Jockey Moreira, it was felt that too much use of VICTORIAM may have to be made in the early stages to cross from a wide barrier which would compromise the horse’s ability to finish off the race. He said it was therefore decided that it would be best for VICTORIAM to obtain a midfield position with cover if possible. A veterinary inspection of VICTORIAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORIAM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BRAVE KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORIAM, GOOD BEAUTY and STAR LUCK were sent for sampling.