14/11/2015  Shatin  Race 8

HAPPY YEAH YEAH was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, BRILLIANT SHINE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After the 800 Metres, APOLLO'S CHOICE commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of DIVINE CALLING when the tempo of the race slackened, resulting in RAINBOW FIGHTER being taken wider and without cover. Passing the 800 Metres, BRILLIANT SHINE got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of PIKACHU. At the 700 Metres, GURUS DREAM shifted out abruptly away from the heels of APOLLO'S CHOICE, causing WAH MAY FRIEND to be hampered and taken wider. JAZZY FEELING, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Approaching the 200 Metres, PIKACHU was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of APOLLO'S CHOICE which shifted in. Passing the 200 Metres, J Moreira (SUN JEWELLERY) lost the use of his whip in his right hand before regathering it in the left hand. For the majority of the Home Straight, HAPPY YEAH YEAH was unable to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DIVINE CALLING, Z Purton stated that he did not want to lead on the horse and as he expected the race to be run at a slow tempo, he purposefully positioned DIVINE CALLING one horse off the rail as he did not want to get caught behind runners. He said by positioning DIVINE CALLING away from the rail, he believed that this would provide him with the best opportunity to obtain clear running in the Straight. He added DIVINE CALLING travelled well throughout the race and when shifted out in the early part of the Straight he expected the horse to quicken, however, DIVINE CALLING came under pressure after the 400 Metres and despite being ridden out gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of DIVINE CALLING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DIVINE CALLING, which finished last, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DIVINE CALLING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BLIZZARD, K Teetan stated that he was left racing in a three wide position in the early stages and then without cover after the 1000 Metres. He said whilst he would have preferred to obtain cover on BLIZZARD, in his opinion, the horse was not unduly disadvantaged by having to race wide and without cover due to the slow tempo of the race. He added during the early and middle stages BLIZZARD travelled strongly, however, came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and did not quicken as it had done when he had ridden the horse previously. He said BLIZZARD initially stayed on one-paced in the early part of the Straight, however, over the final 200 Metres was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground. A veterinary inspection of BLIZZARD immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, BLIZZARD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that GURUS DREAM had sustained a cut to the right hind heel. DASHING FELLOW and SUN JEWELLERY were sent for sampling.