17/05/2020  Shatin  Race 9

CHIKORITA began only fairly. TRIPLE TRIPE and HELLO DADDY bumped at the start. HIGH RISE SOLDIER and NATURAL WINNER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. CHIKORITA travelled keenly in the middle stages and made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly. Both LOBO’S LEGEND and CHIKORITA were held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. CHIKORITA was again held up for clear running over the concluding stages. Passing the 400 Metres, TEAM POWER (C Schofield) raced tight inside TRIPLE TRIPLE which shifted in marginally. After this, TEAM POWER raced tight between TRIPLE TRIPLE which shifted in away from the HELLO DADDY and KA YING EXCELLENT which shifted out when racing tight outside TAKING AIM. Then passing the 300 Metres, TEAM POWER and TRIPE TRIPLE were checked when crowded for room between HELLO DADDY (M F Poon) which got its head on the side and lay in away from PICKEN and KA YING EXCELLENT which continued to race tight outside TAKING AIM. As the Stewards were satisfied that the shifts from both KA YING EXCELLENT and HELLO DADDY had contributed to the crowding to TEAM POWER and TRIPLE TRIPLE, no further action was taken, however, M F Poon was reprimanded and warned against the practice of using the whip as his mount is shifting ground. C Schofield stated that TEAM POWER was travelling well enough prior to being interfered with to finish off the race. He said however that TEAM POWER, which was having its only 5th race start today, was reluctant to improve into tight running between TRIPLE TRIPLE and KA YING EXCELLENT and did not quicken into the gap. He added after being hampered passing the 300 Metres, TEAM POWER did not finish off the race as expected, however, he attributed this to the horse’s inexperience and being crowded for room. A veterinary inspection of TEAM POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Passing the 150 Metres, TAKING AIM raced tight inside KA YING EXCELLENT which lay in. In the Straight, HIGH RISE SOLDIER lay in under pressure. Throughout the race, TRIPLE TRIPLE travelled wide and without cover. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LOBO’S LEGEND had sustained a laceration to the right front coronet. A veterinary inspection of TAKING AIM and SMOOTHIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TAKING AIM, PICKEN and HIGH RISE SOLDIER were sent for sampling.