11/10/2020  Shatin  Race 8

BALTIC WHISPER and ETERNAL HARVEST were badly crowded for room on jumping between COMPASSION SPIRIT and SUPER DOBBIN which shifted out. Then a short distance after the start, ETERNAL HARVEST was bumped by BALTIC WHISPER which became unbalanced due to contact on the hindquarters from SUPER DOBBIN which was taken out marginally by SUNNY LAD. After this, ETERNAL HARVEST was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from the outside barriers, WINSTON’S LAD and TELECOM FIGHTERS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. WINNING FOR ALL lost its left hind plate after the 1000 Metres. COMPASSION SPIRIT lost its right hind plate at the 850 Metres. Approaching the 700 Metres, PING HAI BRAVO shifted out away from the heels of CLASSIC POSH which was awkwardly placed behind SUNNY LAD which was steadied to obtain cover behind SUPER DOBBIN. When PING HAI BRAVO shifted out, COMPASSION SPIRIT and PING HAI BRAVO raced tight for some distance. Rounding the Home Turn, SUNNY LAD became unbalanced when racing in restricted room between BALTIC WHISPER and HEALTHY HAPPY which shifted out. Passing the 300 Metres, SUPER DOBBIN momentarily raced tight inside the heels of HEALTHY HAPPY which shifted in. Near the 200 Metres, PING HAI BRAVO raced tight inside CLASSIC POSH when endeavouring to improve into tight running between that horse and COMPASSION SPIRIT. Over the concluding stages, PING HAI BRAVO raced in restricted room between CLASSIC POSH and COMPASSION SPIRIT. Throughout the race, BALTIC WHISPER travelled wide and without cover. Z Purton explained that he was instructed to obtain cover on COMPASSION SPIRIT and it was felt that this would be behind midfield. He said when COMPASSION SPIRIT began very well, he attempted to initially try and take advantage of that by riding his mount forward, however, when COMPASSION SPIRIT did not show sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to its inside, he then steadied his mount approaching the 1100 Metres to obtain cover which was in accordance with his instructions. When questioned regarding the performance of SUPER DOBBIN, A Hamelin stated that after becoming unbalanced at the start, he had to ride his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said he was able to shift SUPER DOBBIN across to race outside PRIVATE ROCKET passing the 700 Metres and SUPER DOBBIN then relaxed well. He said however that after being placed under pressure passing the 400 Metres, SUPER DOBBIN did not quicken and then was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of SUPER DOBBIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ETERNAL HARVEST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COMPASSION SPIRIT, HEALTHY HAPPY and PRIVATE ROCKET were sent for sampling.