19/04/2020  Shatin  Race 2

CHEERFUL STAR was slow to begin and then was steadied away from the heels of MISTER MONTE which shifted out abruptly shortly after the start. GO BALLISTIC began only fairly and then shortly after the start raced tight inside KING PRINT which in turn raced tight inside CALIFORNIA LEGEND. PLIKCLONE became badly unbalanced when crowded for room on jumping between FULL POWER which was taken out by RULE THEE and GIANT TURTLE which shifted in. From the outside barriers, GOOD DAYS and DEFINING MOMENT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied near the 1750 Metres, GIANT TURTLE was momentarily crowded for room between PLIKCLONE and JIMMU which got its head on the side and lay in. When left racing very wide after the 1700 Metres, JIMMU was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in a position closer to the rail. Approaching the 1500 Metres, CHEERFUL STAR briefly raced in restricted room inside NATURAL STORM which was then directed out to relieve the tightening to CHEERFUL STAR. Passing the 1500 Metres, DEFINING MOMENT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RULE THEE as that horse was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. After this, when continuing to race close to the heels of RULE THEE, DEFINING MOMENT (J Moreira) shifted in, causing GIANT TURTLE to get its head up when crowded for room. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless J Moreira was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing crowding to other runners. Passing the 1300 Metres, NATURAL STORM commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of GO BALLISTIC. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, RULE THEE raced tight outside NATURAL STORM which got its head on the side and made the turn awkwardly. Approaching and passing the 700 Metres, NATURAL STORM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHEERFUL STAR. Approaching the 500 Metres, GIANT TURTLE lay out towards the heels of CHEERFUL STAR. Rounding the Home Turn, GALA NIGHT was inconvenienced by PLIKCLONE which got its head on the side and made the turn awkwardly. JIMMU lay in under pressure in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, DEFINING MOMENT was momentarily held up when being shifted to the outside of GALA NIGHT to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, FULL POWER and CHEERFUL STAR brushed as CHEERFUL STAR improved inside FULL POWER. FULL POWER then got its head on the side and lay out away from CHEERFUL STAR, resulting in NATURAL STORM, which was racing behind FULL POWER and attempting to improve to the outside of that horse, being checked and shifting out, bumping the hindquarters of GO BALLISTIC which became unbalanced and was hampered. When questioned, Apprentice C Wong stated that as GIANT TURTLE had been racing below its best for some time now when ridden in a forward position, he was asked to ride the horse more quietly today to see whether it could finish off the race better. He said it was also felt that up in weight today, the horse may have to be ridden along for some distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position and this may make it difficult for GIANT TURTLE to finish off its race. He said in accordance with his instructions he shifted GIANT TURTLE across behind runners in the early stages and the horse travelled well in the middle stages. He said GIANT TURTLE quickened nicely in the early part of the Straight and made ground and, in his opinion, finished off the race satisfactorily when ridden more patiently. After the race, A Hamelin stated that at no stage of the race did RULE THEE travel comfortably. He said when steadying RULE THEE in an attempt to obtain cover passing the 1600 Metres, the horse got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. He said after being able to obtain cover behind FULL POWER near the 1400 Metres, RULE THEE came off the bridle and he had to ride his mount continually for a considerable distance in an endeavour to have it travel better. He said, despite being ridden along, RULE THEE was not able to maintain its position and was forced into a four wide position without cover after the 1100 Metres when GO BALLISTIC improved to the outside of KING PRINT to follow FULL POWER. He added after this he continued to ride his mount along, however, RULE THEE continued to race off the bridle, did not travel well and then gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of RULE THEE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he was given two sets of instructions on how PLIKCLONE, which was stepping up in distance today, should be ridden. He said he was told that as PLIKCLONE had not been beginning well in some of its previous starts, if the horse were again to not commence well, he should shift it across behind runners. He said however he was told that if PLIKCLONE were to begin well, he should ride it positively in the early stages and obtain a position with cover behind the speed if possible. He said he was drawn outside FULL POWER which was considered to be a strong chance in the race and it was hoped that PLIKCLONE may be able to follow that horse across and obtain a position with cover in the early stages. He said although PLIKCLONE became badly unbalanced on jumping, the horse was able to recover and improve into a forward position without having to make any use of the horse. He said he followed FULL POWER across in the early stages as that horse was being ridden positively, however, when FULL POWER was unable to cross runners to its inside, this resulted in PLIKCLONE being left racing very wide and for this reason he allowed the horse to improve its position after the 1400 Metres to race outside the lead. He said he steadied his mount near the 1100 Metres after shifting across to race outside CALIFORNIA LEGEND in the hope that another horse would improve around PLIKCLONE and provide his mount with cover, however, when that did not occur, PLIKCLONE was left racing without cover outside the lead. He said PLIKCLONE then did not finish off the race and he indicated to connections that the horse would be best ridden with cover in its future starts if possible. A veterinary inspection of PLIKCLONE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of FULL POWER, Z Purton stated that after being unable to clear runners to his inside in the early stages, FULL POWER was then left racing wide and without cover near the 1100 Metres. He said FULL POWER travelled only fairly in the middle stages when racing wide and came under pressure passing the 600 Metres. He said FULL POWER gave him a limited response in the early part of the Straight and after becoming unbalanced near the 150 Metres gave ground and did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of FULL POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FULL POWER, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FULL POWER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FULL POWER, DEFINING MOMENT and GOOD DAYS were sent for sampling.