26/04/2020  Shatin  Race 10

NOBLE STEED began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of TIME TO CELEBRATE which shifted in abruptly at the start. GREEN LUCK began awkwardly. STAR PERFORMANCE and BUTTERFIELD bumped at the start. From wide barriers, UNCLE STEVE, PRECIOUSSHIP and KING OPIE were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1400 Metres, STAR PERFORMANCE raced tight between BAND OF BROTHERS and BUTTERFIELD which got its head on the side and lay in away from HEZTHEWONFORUS. When being steadied to obtain cover approaching the 1100 Metres, STAR PERFORMANCE travelled keenly and momentarily raced in restricted room between BAND OF BROTHERS which shifted out away from the heels of TIME TO CELEBRATE when travelling keenly and BUTTERFIELD which shifted in. When the pace slackened near the 1000 Metres, a number of runners namely GENERAL’S DELIGHT, RICKFIELD, UNCLE STEVE and NOBLE STEED commenced to travel keenly and were checked. Both NOBLE STEED and UNCLE STEVE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the race, M Chadwick stated that MONICA began only fairly after being fractious in the barriers and consequently had to be ridden along for some distance in the early stages in order to make up lost ground. He said MONICA travelled only fairy in the run and then did not finish off the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of MONICA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. When questioned, J Moreira (BUTTERFIELD) stated that his mount lay in in the early stages of the race and raced with its head on the side. He said after the 1200 Metres BUTTERFIELD was left racing wide and without cover and in the early part of the Straight when being ridden out initially quickened well. He said BUTTERFIELD continued to lay in and consequently he changed his whip into his right hand after the 300 Metres. He said BUTTERFIELD came under pressure after the 200 Metres and as he was racing tight outside HEZTHEWONFORUS, he was not able to fully ride the horse out, however, was able to continue to ride it out hands and heels to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of KING OPIE and CORDYCEPS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BUTTERFIELD, GENERAL’S DELIGHT and TIME TO CELEBRATE were sent for sampling.