17/01/2021  Shatin  Race 5

NEW FUTURE and GLADSOME RYDER began only fairly. ALLOY KING and MULTIMORE bumped on jumping. From a wide barrier, SUPER RED DRAGON was shifted across behind runners soon after the start. Passing the 900 Metres, SUNDAY BETTING momentarily raced tight inside CLASSIC POSH which was taken in by NEW FUTURE which shifted in before being corrected. At the 850 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER got its head up when being steadied after racing in restricted room between ALL BEST FRIENDS and GALACTIC which shifted in. Approaching the 500 Metres, NEW FUTURE and SUPER RED DRAGON made contact. NEW FUTURE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 300 Metres, STEEL WIN and TOUCH FAITH were momentarily held up for clear running. For some distance after leaving the 200 Metres, STEEL WIN was checked and lost ground when it remained badly held up behind ALLOY KING which commenced to weaken and inside the heels of MULTIMORE before being shifted to the outside of the heels of MULTIMORE at the 100 Metres. GLADSOME RYDER was held up for clear running from approaching the 300 Metres until after passing the 150 Metres. DANDY YEARS was unable to obtain clear running in the Straight and then approaching the 100 Metres made contact with the hindquarters of ALL BEST FRIENDS when endeavouring to improve into tight running between that horse and GALACTIC. DANDY YEARS continued to race in restricted room between ALL BEST FRIENDS and GALACTIC over the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be fully tested. Throughout the race, GALACTIC travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Z Purton stated that after being placed under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, LITTLE PLAYER did not respond to his riding. He said the horse then came under pressure to maintain its position and lost ground despite being ridden along until the 200 Metres. He said at this stage of the race LITTLE PLAYER felt particularly awkward in its action and as he was concerned that something may be amiss with the horse, he eased it down over the final stages. A veterinary inspection of LITTLE PLAYER immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, LITTLE PLAYER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TOUCH FAITH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOUCH FAITH, NEW FUTURE and CLASSIC POSH were sent for sampling.