10/04/2022  Shatin  Race 8

B Shinn (ENTRUSTED) was fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to present himself in the Parade Ring by the required time. POWERFUL WINGS shifted out at the start and inconvenienced CROSSFORD which began awkwardly. COPARTNER ELITES shifted out on jumping, resulting in CHAMPION DRAGON being taken out onto DARCI JOY which in turn shifted out and bumped FIVE G PATCH. ENTRUSTED, which was bumped by FIVE G PATCH, was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1750 Metres, SURREALISM and SMILING TIME raced tight. Passing the 700 Metres, SMILING TIME raced close to the heels of CROSSFORD. Near the 550 Metres, SMILING TIME was steadied away from the heels of RUNNING GLORY. Approaching the 500 Metres, FIVE G PATCH was awkwardly placed behind ENZEMBLE as ENTRUSTED improved around FIVE G PATCH. At the entrance to the Straight, VICTORY PARK was shifted in away from the heels of POWERFUL WINGS. VICTORY PARK then raced in restricted room inside POWERFUL WINGS approaching and passing the 300 Metres. Approaching the 300 Metres, SMILING TIME was shifted to the inside of CROSSFORD after being disappointed for running between that horse and FIVE G PATCH. CROSSFORD lay out under pressure after the 300 Metres and near the 200 Metres shifted out and inconvenienced FIVE G PATCH. Near the 50 Metres, FIVE G PATCH was eased when awkwardly placed inside the heels of INTREPID WINNER which shifted in. Because of this, FIVE G PATCH was not able to be fully tested over the concluding stages. After the race, C Y Ho stated that it was intended for COPARTNER ELITES to be ridden quietly from barrier 9. He said however that COPARTNER ELITES began well and due to a number of runners being positioned to his inside in the early stages, he was not able to gain cover despite his efforts to obtain a trailing position. He said this resulted in COPARTNER ELITES travelling in a more forward position than anticipated and after the 1000 Metres being left racing wide and without cover. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on COPARTNER ELITES at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. Also after the race, M Chadwick stated that after being ridden positively in the early stages to obtain a forward position, he had to make some use of DARCI JOY to clear runners to his inside approaching and passing the 1600 Metres. He said at this time the tempo of the race was strong. He said he steadied DARCI JOY passing the 1300 Metres to allow SAVVY KINGMAN to cross DARCI JOY and provide his mount with cover which he was able to obtain after the 1000 Metres. He said DARCI JOY came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then was not able to finish the race off which he attributed to the fast tempo of the race in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of DARCI JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Z Purton stated that although the pace of the race in the early stages was quick, he felt that SAVVY KINGMAN was disappointing in that even at the 1000 Metres he did not feel that the horse was travelling well enough to be able to finish the race off. He said after the 600 Metres SAVVY KINGMAN came under heavy pressure and then rounding the Home Turn commenced to weaken out of the race. A veterinary inspection of SAVVY KINGMAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SAVVY KINGMAN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SAVVY KINGMAN 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 ENZEMBLE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, ENZEMBLE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHAMPION DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RUNNING GLORY and INTREPID WINNER were sent for sampling.