03/05/2020  Shatin  Race 5

LUMEN BABA and BALTIC WHISPER bumped at the start. BEAUTY LOYAL shifted out at the start and made contact with the hindquarters of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE which became unbalanced. HAPPY ALUMNI began awkwardly and lost ground. From the outside barriers, HAPPY TIME and SINCERE BOY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied after the 1100 Metres to obtain cover, HELAKU KNIGHT travelled keenly and got its head up for some distance. Passing the 900 Metres, CHIKORITA was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, HAPPY ALUMNI was directed to the outside of AMAZING KNIGHT to obtain clear running. Passing the 350 Metres, H T Mo (GLORIOUS LOVER) dropped his whip. Approaching the 300 Metres, MIG ENERGY was momentarily crowded for room when improving between PIANILLO which shifted in marginally and HELAKU KNIGHT which shifted out under pressure. In this incident, MIG ENERGY got its head on the side, lay out and raced tight inside PIANILLO. Then near the 250 Metres, HELAKU KNIGHT again got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure and consequently bumped MIG ENERGY, causing that horse to be crowded for room inside CHIKORITA and for HELAKU KNIGHT to become unbalanced. Mr K W Lui, the trainer of HAPPY ALUMNI, which was reluctant to proceed to the Start, was told that a warning would be placed on the horse and that the Stewards will monitor HAPPY ALUMNI’s behaviour at its future starts before deciding if any further action would be required. K Teetan stated that it was intended for MIG ENERGY to be ridden in a forward position from the outside barrier, however, when the start was effected, MIG ENERGY lifted its front feet off the ground and then was hampered by SINCERE BOY which shifted out. He said as he was of the opinion that too much use would have to be made of MIG ENERGY to obtain a forward position, he elected to steady the horse in the early stages and shift across behind runners to obtain cover. A veterinary inspection of SINCERE BOY, PIANILLO and AMAZING KNIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. QUADRUPLE DOUBLE and HAPPY ALUMNI were sent for sampling.