24/10/2020  Shatin  Race 6

After leaving the Parade Ring, PERFECT TO GREAT became fractious and bumped a rail which was displaced. PERFECT TO GREAT was examined by the Veterinary Officer at the time who said the horse was suitable to proceed to the barriers. On arrival at the Start, PERFECT TO PLAY was again examined by another Veterinary Officer who advised the horse had sustained a minor abrasion to the left gaskin and hock but was suitable to race. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT TO GREAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT TO GREAT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HELENE WISDOM STAR proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, HELENE WISDOM STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. PRECISE EXPRESS, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly and then was crowded for room on jumping between GREAT TREASURE and OWNERS’ STAR which shifted in. RICH AND LUCKY and PERFECT TO GREAT bumped at the start. SUPER ELEGANCE was crowded for room on jumping between BEAUTY DAY and ELITE PATCH which shifted out. After this, from a wide barrier, SUPER ELEGANCE was shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, TEMPEST EXPRESS was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, ELITE PATCH was inclined to lay out when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind ENZEMBLE. Passing the 400 Metres, OWNERS’ STAR was hampered when crowded for room between ELITE PATCH which shifted in marginally and EASY GO EASY WIN which shifted out when being awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING MIGHTY which, when commencing to give ground, was taken out by RICH AND LUCKY. This resulted in OWNERS’ STAR losing ground and being steadied away from the heels of EASY GO EASY WIN after the 350 Metres. OWNERS’ STAR was again hampered when disappointed for running between ELITE PATCH and EASY GO EASY WIN which shifted out passing the 250 Metres. FARSHAD lay in over the concluding stages. When questioned, Z Purton stated that stepping up to 1600 Metres today, he was asked to ensure that FLYING MIGHTY began well as the horse had been getting too far out of its ground in its previous two starts over a shorter distance. He said he was also instructed to obtain cover in as forward a position as possible depending on how the horse began and travelled in the early stages. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along for some distance in the early stages and passing the 1400 Metres anticipated that ELITE PATCH might be able to obtain a trailing position behind EASY GO EASY WIN which would allow him to shift in behind ENZEMBLE and obtain a three wide position with cover. He said however that when ELITE PATCH was not able to shift behind EASY GO EASY WIN, this resulted in FLYING MIGHTY being left racing four wide and without cover. He said he consequently allowed his mount to improve its position after the 1200 Metres to see whether it would be able to obtain a position closer to the rail, however, FLYING MIGHTY was only able to improve its position forward of ENZEMBLE which resulted in FLYING MIGHTY travelling three wide and without cover outside the leaders. He added, given the hard run that FLYING MIGHTY had experienced, the horse came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then in the early part of the Straight and commenced to give ground. A veterinary inspection of FLYING MIGHTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau (EASY GO EASY WIN) stated that he was instructed to lead if able to do so, but if the riders of other runners were intent on leading, it was acceptable for him to take a trailing position. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along for some distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position, however, EASY GO EASY WIN did not show as much speed as anticipated and for this reason raced further back in the field then had been intended. He added EASY GO EASY WIN came under pressure after the 600 Metres to maintain its position and, despite being ridden along, did not quicken rounding the Home Turn. He said after being held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight, he was able to obtain clear running prior to the 200 Metres, however, EASY GO EASY WIN did not finish off the race and, in his opinion, was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of EASY GO EASY WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ENZEMBLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EASY GO EASY WIN, GREAT TREASURE and PERFECT TO GREAT were sent for sampling.