20/03/2016  Shatin  Race 10

HAPPY SUMMER was withdrawn on 19.3.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BAMBOO DANCE (S de Sousa). Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY SUMMER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TERRIFIC MASTER was slow to begin. From an outside barrier, HAPPY PLACE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1500 Metres, LOTUS BREEZE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SELKIRK STAR due to both horses shifting ground. After the 1500 Metres, MARVEL HERO commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted ground on a number of occasions and near the 1400 Metres got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly, resulting in SUPREME PROFIT being momentarily crowded for room in onto LOTUS BREEZE which continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of SELKIRK STAR. MARVEL HERO then shifted out abruptly towards GOLD DRAGON. After the 1300 Metres, CHARITY KINGDOM was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1300 Metres, SUPREME PROFIT commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of GOLD DRAGON. Near the 1200 Metres, SUPREME PROFIT, which was travelling fiercely and had shifted to the outside of GOLD DRAGON, became unbalanced when bumped by HAPPY PLACE (C Schofield) which shifted in. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the racing manners of SUPREME PROFIT had contributed to the incident and were also satisfied that SUPREME PROFIT had only just improved outside GOLD DRAGON, nonetheless C Schofield was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he exercises due care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 1000 Metres, MARVEL HERO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY PLACE. Approaching the 700 Metres, MARVEL HERO and SUPREME PROFIT raced tight and bumped on a number of occasions as SUPREME PROFIT shifted out away from the heels of GOLD DRAGON when still proving difficult to settle. SUPREME PROFIT had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and for some distance approaching and passing the 300 Metres was steadied when unable to improve between GOLD DRAGON and MARVEL HERO. SUPREME PROFIT was then shifted out abruptly to obtain clear running approaching the 200 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, LOTUS BREEZE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SPINNING DANCER which shifted out. TERRIFIC MASTER was unable to obtain clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, M Chadwick (TERRIFIC MASTER) momentarily lost the use of his whip. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GOLD DRAGON, J Moreira stated that he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a position one off the rail behind the speed. He said GOLD DRAGON travelled very well in the run and he expected the horse to close off the race strongly, however, GOLD DRAGON came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then did not respond as he expected. He added, in his opinion, GOLD DRAGON was disappointing. After the race, S de Sousa expressed concern regarding the action of BAMBOO DANCE. A veterinary inspection of BAMBOO DANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SELKIRK STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. UNICORN, GENERAL OF PATCH and PO CHING TREASURE were sent for sampling.