24/10/2020  Shatin  Race 7

In the Parade Ring, it was noted that CHAMP PATROL had blood at its right nostril as a result of a cut. On arrival at the Start, CHAMP PATROL was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was suitable to race. CHAIRMAN LO stumbled at the start, resulting in the rider becoming unbalanced. After this, from a wide barrier, CHAIRMAN LO was shifted across behind runners. ALL FOR ST PAUL’S and SO AWESOME bumped at the start. ROBOT WARRIOR shifted out at the start and bumped PRETTY CUTE. After this, PRETTY CUTE was steadied to obtain cover shortly after the start. From a wide barrier, EVEN KEEL was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. VIGOR CHAMP had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 400 Metres, CALIFORNIA LEVEE lay in and bumped FORTUNE HERO. Approaching the 350 Metres, MIGHTY POWER raced tight outside CHAMP PATROL which got its head on the side and shifted out away from ALL FOR ST PAUL’S. In the Straight, MIGHT POWER lay in under pressure. When questioned, T Piccone stated that he was asked to ride ROBOT WARRIOR, which was having its second race start today, in about a midfield position from barrier 8 if possible. He said after shifting his mount across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover, he had to ride ROBOT WARRIOR along after the 1200 Metres as it was getting out of its ground. He said he had intended to maintain his position inside SMART HUNTER, however, ROBOT WARRIOR was not traveling well enough for him to do so and SMART HUNTER was able to shift in front of ROBOT WARRIOR near the 1000 Metres. He said ROBOT WARRIOR made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly and lay out and came off the bridle which resulted in him having to ride the horse along more vigorously. He added he continued to ride the horse along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, however, it did not respond to his riding until approaching the 200 Metres at which stage it commenced to finish off the race well. He said he continued to ride ROBOT WARRIOR out over the concluding stages and the horse closed off the race strongly. After the race, K Teetan (ALL FOR ST PAUL’S) stated that he rode his mount along for some distance in the early stages to cross runners to his inside. He said it was not until after the 1200 Metres that he was able to clear MIGHTY POWER and VIGOR CHAMP and then obtain a trailing position behind FORTUNE HERO. He said the pace in the early stages of the race was quicker than standard and he felt that this likely impacted upon ALL FOR ST PAUL’S ability to close off the race as it was one-paced. A veterinary inspection of ALL FOR ST PAUL’S immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CHAMP PATROL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY STAR and MIGHTY POWER were sent for sampling.