01/04/2020  Shatin  Race 5

HAPPY HOUR began only fairly and then raced tight outside LASTING FRIENDSHIP which shifted out. ALL FOR ST PAUL’S shifted out at the start and bumped THIS ONE’S FOR YOU. RIGHTEOUS MATE began very awkwardly and lost ground. SMART THINKER began only fairly. From wide barriers, STAR MAJESTIC and JADE FORTUNE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, LIGHTNING STEED travelled without cover and approaching the 1400 Metres, when racing very wide, was steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the 1200 Metres, SMART THINKER lost ground when crowded for room between THIS ONE’S FOR YOU and STAR MAJESTIC (B Shinn) which shifted in before being directed back out. As the Stewards could not be satisfied to the requisite degree that the shift from STAR MAJESTIC was solely to blame for this incident given there was also contact between THIS ONE’S FOR YOU and SMART THINKER, nonetheless B Shinn was severely reprimanded and told that he must ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. Approaching the 700 Metres, LASTING FRIENDSHIP raced tight outside SUPER RED DRAGON which shifted to the outside of ALL FOR ST PAUL’S. Passing the 600 Metres, JADE FORTUNE raced tight between STAR MAJESTIC and THIS ONE’S FOR YOU which attempted to shift out around the heels of CALIFORNIA LEGEND. JADE FORTUNE was then checked away from the heels of CALIFORNIA LEGEND which came under pressure near the 500 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, LIGHTNING STEED raced tight outside STARLIT KNIGHT. Passing the 200 Metres, KING’S RACE got its head on the side and shifted out, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount. Over the final 50 Metres, LASTING FRIENDSHIP was crowded for room between THIS ONE’S FOR YOU and SUPER RED DRAGON (K Teetan) which shifted out under pressure. K Teetan was severely reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to straighten his mounts to ensure that he does not cause interference to other runners. Because of this, LASTING FRIENDSHIP was not able to be ridden out over the concluding stages. For the majority of the race, STAR MAJESTIC travelled wide and without cover. The performance of HAPPY HOUR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY HOUR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, M F Poon (KING’S RACE) reported that, in his opinion, the horse did not handle tonight’s track conditions at its first time of asking on the All Weather surface. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA LEGEND, LIGHTNING STEED and HAPPY HOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SMART THINKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. RIGHTEOUS MATE and SUPER RED DRAGON were sent for sampling.