26/04/2020  Shatin  Race 9

At declaration time, C Schofield was declared as the rider of both COUNTRY STAR and GLORIOUS SPECTRUM. It was established that C Schofield had a firm commitment to ride COUNTRY STAR. As such, the Stewards permitted A Hamelin to be substituted as the rider of GLORIOUS SPECTRUM. For this declaration error, C Schofield was fined $2,000. SPEED VISION shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SAUL’S SPECIAL. MOMENT OF POWER shifted out at the start and bumped SPARKLING DRAGON. From the outside barriers, WATER DIVINER, GLORIOUS SPECTRUM and TRANSCENDENT were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1150 Metres, GOLD CHEST became unbalanced when momentarily racing in restricted room between YEE CHEONG BABY and SHINING ACE which shifted in. Near the 750 Metres, SHINING ACE commenced to travel very keenly and shifted out towards the heels of SAUL’S SPECIAL when being checked away from the heels of COUNTRY STAR. Near the 650 Metres, SPARKLING DRAGON was bumped by TRANSCENDENT which, when improving to the outside of CALIFORNIA WHIP, was taken out slightly by that horse. GOLD CHEST was held up clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 400 Metres was shifted into tight running to the inside of YEE CHEONG BABY which was commencing to give ground. When GOLD CHEST improved inside YEE CHEONG BABY, WATER DIVINER momentarily raced tight inside GOLD CHEST. Then near the 350 Metres, GOLD CHEST and YEE CHEONG BABY bumped, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Approaching the 300 Metres, COUNTRY STAR was shifted to the inside of SAUL’S SPECIAL (Apprentice K H Chan) after being disappointed for running between that horse and SHINING ACE. After shifting to the inside of SAUL’S SPECIAL, COUNTRY STAR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of that horse which shifted in under pressure passing the 250 Metres. Apprentice Chan was advised to exercise more care and to make more effort to keep his mounts straight. Then passing the 200 Metres, COUNTRY STAR was again awkwardly placed inside the heels of SAUL’S SPECIAL. Over the final 250 Metres, GLORIOUS SPECTRUM hung in under pressure. Passing the 150 Metres, SHINING ACE shifted out under pressure, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount. Throughout the race, SAUL’S SPECIAL and MOMENT OF POWER travelled wide and without cover. After the race, M F Poon stated that YEE CHEONG BABY gave ground abruptly soon after entering the Straight and then weakened noticeably. A veterinary inspection of YEE CHEONG BABY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of YEE CHEONG BABY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, YEE CHEONG BABY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Trainer P O’Sullivan stated that in pre-race discussions with the connections of MOMENT OF POWER, it was decided for the horse to attempt to be ridden more quietly as it was racing over 1200 Metres and from a wide barrier in what was anticipated to be a solidly run race, it was felt that MOMENT OF POWER would not be able to see out the distance of today’s race if the horse were to be ridden in a forward position. COMPUTER PATCH and GLORIOUS SPECTRUM were sent for sampling.