10/07/2022  Shatin  Race 10

SAUVESTRE was withdrawn on 9.7.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter PRECISE EXPRESS (C Y Ho). Before being allowed to race again, SAUVESTRE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VIVA HUNTER shifted out at the start and bumped DECISIVE TWELVE which in turn shifted out and bumped KEEFY which became unbalanced. CIRCUIT THREE began only fairly. PRECISE EXPRESS was steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. From wide barriers, BEAUTY FIT and MASTER MONTARO were steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, SHINING GEM was bumped by CAPTAIN WIN which shifted out away from the heels of NAVAS TWO. Rounding the Home Turn, VIVA HUNTER raced tight outside KEEFY which shifted to the outside of DECISIVE TWELVE to obtain clear running. Passing the 400 Metres, KEEFY momentarily raced in restricted room between VIVA HUNTER and DECISIVE TWELVE, both of which shifted a minimal amount of ground. In this incident, VIVA HUNTER became unbalanced after bumping with KEEFY. Passing the 200 Metres, CAPTAIN WIN was hampered when having to be shifted in to avoid the heels of VIVA HUNTER (M Chadwick) which shifted in. M Chadwick was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Throughout the race, GLUCK RACER and SHINING GEM travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if WINNER METHOD had been afforded a fair start. It was established that as the start was effected, WINNER METHOD reared abruptly and got its front legs caught in the overhead barrier structure which resulted in WINNER METHOD taking no part in the race. As the Stewards were of the view that WINNER METHOD had caused its own problems as the start was effected, that horse was deemed to have been afforded a fair start and accordingly weighed-in was given on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. A veterinary inspection of WINNER METHOD immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a laceration to the left front heel. Before being allowed to race again, WINNER METHOD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CAPTAIN WIN, Z Purton stated that his mount travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages and only for a brief period near the 700 Metres did the horse travel keenly. He said after obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn, CAPTAIN WIN did not quicken as he anticipated. He said although CAPTAIN WIN was hampered near the 200 Metres, he was of the view that the horse was disappointing today and the only reason he could offer for the poor performance was that the horse’s preparation had come to an end. A veterinary inspection of CAPTAIN WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DECISIVE TWELVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CIRCUIT STELLAR and KEEFY were sent for sampling.