27/03/2022  Shatin  Race 6

DAZZLING FELLOW began awkwardly. CALIFORNIA VANES and NOBLE BOYZ brushed on jumping. AUGUST MOON shifted out at the start and bumped CABLE SPEED which became unbalanced and shifted out further, resulting in GET THE MONIES being hampered. POLARIS WINNER began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of FUN N GLORY which on jumping was bumped by FELIX THE KING which shifted in. In the early stages, DAZZLING FELLOW raced greenly and near the 950 Metres was awkwardly placed behind NOBLE BOYZ. POLARIS WINNER, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of DAZZLING FELLOW in consequence. POLARIS WINNER then raced very close to the heels of DAZZLING FELLOW and making the turn after the 900 Metres shifted out away from the heels of CABLE SPEED and in doing so struck the heels of that horse and stumbled badly, resulting in its rider, R Maia, becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 700 Metres, DAZZLING FELLOW travelled keenly and was steadied away from the heels of NOBLE BOYZ. At the entrance to the Straight, FIRE BALL was bumped on the hindquarters by COUNTRY TREASURE which shifted out. COUNTRY TREASURE was then shifted to the inside of FELIX THE KING. Also at the entrance to the Straight, FUN N GLORY became unbalanced when bumped by NOBLE BOYZ (K Teetan) which shifted to the outside of FIRE BALL to obtain clear running. K Teetan was reprimanded and told to ensure that he exercises more care in similar circumstances when shifting ground. NOBLE BOYZ then became unbalanced when crowded for room between FIRE BALL and FUN N GLORY, both of which shifted ground. In this incident, both FIRE BALL and FUN N GLORY became unbalanced. BIRDSVILLE was held up for clear running until approaching the 300 Metres at which time the horse was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. When BIRDSVILLE was shifted out, DAZZLING FELLOW, which was continuing to race greenly, was momentarily eased away from the heels of that horse. Passing the 300 Metres, NOBLE BOYZ was eased away from the heels of FUN N GLORY (Z Purton) which shifted in. Z Purton was advised to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, GET THE MONIES was held up for clear running behind ROYAL AGILITY and inside COUNTRY TREASURE. Throughout the race, FELIX THE KING travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of COUNTRY TREASURE, J Moreira stated that his mount, which was having its first start today, became very worked up in the Parade Ring and then travelled keenly in its preliminary when proceeding to the Start. He said when parading behind the barriers, COUNTRY TREASURE would not relax as he had hoped and because of this he felt that the horse had used a lot of its energy before the race commenced. He said COUNTRY TREASURE began well and was able to travel in a good position in the early and middle stages. He said rounding the Home Turn he attempted to shift to the outside of FELIX THE KING which resulted in COUNTRY TREASURE racing very close to the heels of that horse for a short distance. He said when this happened he felt COUNTRY TREASURE may have clipped the heels of FELIX THE KING. He said after this COUNTRY TREASURE was able to obtain clear running, however, did not finish the race off and weakened noticeably over the concluding stages. He added that whilst COUNTRY TREASURE was disappointing today, he did feel that by becoming worked up prior to the race most likely resulted in the horse then not being able to race to its best. A veterinary inspection of COUNTRY TREASURE immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a laceration to the right front pastern. The performance of COUNTRY TREASURE, favourite for today’s race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COUNTRY TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FELIX THE KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COUNTRY TREASURE, FUN N GLORY and CALIFORNIA VANES were sent for sampling.