03/05/2020  Shatin  Race 8

CHAMPION SUPREME began only fairly. BEAUTY HAPPY shifted in at the start and bumped ENZEMBLE. From the outside barrier, CHARITY GO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, CLEMENT LEGEND was crowded for room between GOD OF DRAGON and DEFINING MOMENT which was taken in by GOOD OMEN (M Chadwick) which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to DEFINING MOMENT and CLEMENT LEGEND. M Chadwick was reprimanded and told to exercise more care. GOOD OMEN again shifted in after the 1800 Metres, resulting in DEFINING MOMENT being steadied away from the heels of GOOD OMEN. For this incident, M Chadwick was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. BEAUTY HAPPY was left racing wide and without cover passing the 1700 Metres. BEAUTY HAPPY was consequently allowed to improve its position approaching and passing the 1200 Metres to race outside the lead. After the 1500 Metres, DEFINING MOMENT raced close to the heels of LONDON HALL. After the 1400 Metres, DEFINING MOMENT travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind LONDON HALL. Near the 1100 Metres, GOD OF DRAGON was momentarily crowded for room inside DEFINING MOMENT which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ENZEMBLE (C Schofield) which shifted in. C Schofield was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. Near the 350 Metres, BEAUTY HAPPY momentarily raced tight inside ENZEMBLE which shifted in. Approaching the 250 Metres, CHAMPION SUPREME and DEFINING MOMENT raced tight. Passing the 200 Metres, CHAMPION SUPREME shifted out and brushed DEFINING MOMENT, resulting in that horse being tightened for room inside CHARITY GO. After the race, N Callan reported that CLEMENT LEGEND was making a respiratory noise. An endoscopic examination of CLEMENT LEGEND did not reveal any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of LONDON HALL, C Y Ho stated that as instructed he took up a forward position in the early stages and was able to do so without having to make too much use of the horse. He said after shifting in to race outside GOOD OMEN in the early stages, LONDON HALL travelled comfortably and near the 1100 Metres he was able to shift in to race with cover behind GOOD OMEN. He said LONDON HALL continued to travel comfortably, however, when the pace of the race quickened after the 700 Metres LONDON HALL was left flat-footed and immediately came under pressure. He said, despite being hard ridden rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, LONDON HALL did not quicken and commenced to give ground near the 300 Metres. He said he continued to test LONDON HALL until after the 200 Metres, however, the horse continued to give ground and, in his opinion, was most disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He added after the race he was not able to detect any obvious abnormalities with LONDON HALL which would have explained the horse’s failure to perform well. Mr D J Hall, the trainer of LONDON HALL, said he was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of the horse. He said in accordance with usual practice he will examine the horse tomorrow morning to see how it pulls up after the race as it may be that the horse did not stretch out on the "Good to Firm” track. A veterinary inspection of LONDON HALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LONDON HALL, which finished last, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LONDON HALL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DEFINING MOMENT, CHAMPION SUPREME and CHARITY GO were sent for sampling.