14/03/2020  Shatin  Race 10

MIGHTY GIANT shifted out at the start and made contact with CRAIG’S STAR. A short distance later, MIGHTY GIANT became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by BEAUTY ICON which was checked when crowded for room outside PRIVATE ROCKET which shifted out abruptly on jumping. THE DRIVE shifted in at the start and inconvenienced KIRAM. MONEY BACK shifted out on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of EVEN KEEL, causing that horse to become unbalanced and for MONEY BACK to lose ground. HANG’S DECISION was crowded for room on jumping between PICKEN and AMAZING CHOCOLATE (Apprentice C Wong), both of which shifted ground. AMAZING CHOCOLATE then lost ground when crowded for room between HANG’S DECISION which raced tight inside PICKEN and FEARLESS FIRE which got its head on the side and shifted out. After the race, Apprentice C Wong reported that he was instructed to take up a forward position on AMAZING CHOCOLATE, however, as a result of being crowded for room at the start, AMAZING CHOCOLATE was required to be ridden towards the rear of the field. He added having to race back in the field when up in grade resulted in AMAZING CHOCOLATE not finishing off the race as strongly as had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING CHOCOLATE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. From wide barriers, HANG’S DECISION and MONGOLIAN LEGEND were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of B Shinn (CRAIG’S STAR), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit. M Chadwick (FEARLESS FIRE) stated that his mount commenced to travel very keenly after the 1000 Metres and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of EVEN KEEL. He said after this FEARLESS FIRE continued to prove very difficult to settle when racing without cover and, despite his efforts, he was unable to restrain the horse to resume its position with cover behind EVEN KEEL. MIGHTY GIANT and PRIVATE ROCKET were sent for sampling.