14/05/2016  Shatin  Race 10

SANTA FE SUN was withdrawn on 13.5.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left front foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DYNAMISM. Before being allowed to race again, SANTA FE SUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BERLINI shifted in at the start and hampered AMAZING AGILITY. Shortly after the start, DYNAMISM shifted out and bumped MCQUEEN. From wide barriers, ANTICIPATION and GONNA RUN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After travelling a short distance, WINNING LEADER was bumped by UP AND COMING which shifted in after being bumped by ANTICIPATION. Near the 350 Metres, SERGEANT TITANIUM was checked when crowded for room between AMAZING AGILITY and SUPREME PROFIT which was taken out by UP AND COMING which, after improving quickly to the outside of RACING HERO (C K Tong), was taken out by that horse which shifted out away from RENAISSANCE ART which was also shifting out to obtain clear running. C K Tong was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that RACING HERO had shifted out away from RENAISSANCE ART, nonetheless in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more endeavour to prevent his mounts form shifting ground than he did on this occasion. Passing the 200 Metres, ANTICIPATION was held up for clear running. After the race, Apprentice H N Wong stated that after improving into the lead, WINNING LEADER proved difficult to settle, resulting in the horse running at a fast tempo. He said, despite his efforts, he was unable to have the horse relax in order to steady the pace. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MCQUEEN, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that, in her opinion, the fast tempo of the race did not suit the horse as it was always under pressure chasing the speed. She said after being left racing three wide and without cover throughout the race MCQUEEN shifted out under pressure rounding the Home Turn. She added whilst MCQUEEN gave ground in the Straight, she was of the view that the circumstances of the race did not suit the horse. A veterinary inspection of MCQUEEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HAPPILABABY, Z Purton stated that the horse should have been suited by the fast tempo, however, HAPPILABABY raced with its head on the side and lay in throughout the race and was not comfortable in its action. He said having ridden the horse previously, he is of the opinion that HAPPILABABY is best suited to a firmer surface than today’s track. He said whilst today’s track was rated “Good”, it did have some give in it due to the rain this morning and this may have accounted for the horse’s disappointing performance. Mr C S Shum, the trainer of HAPPILABABY, stated that, in his opinion, the horse was not suited by the fast tempo of the race as it was not provided with the opportunity to race on the bridle at any stage. A veterinary inspection of HAPPILABABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HAPPILABABY, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPILABABY 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, B Prebble (SERGEANT TITANIUM) stated that it was anticipated that today’s race would be run at a good tempo and therefore he was asked to ride the horse where it was comfortable and it was felt that this would be in about midfield. He said as SERGEANT TITANIUM had on occasions proved difficult to settle in its races, he was asked not to ride the horse along in the early stages, however, it was felt that the horse’s early speed would allow it to obtain this position without having to be pressed. He said whilst the tempo of the race in the early stages was quicker than he expected, nonetheless SERGEANT TITANIUM did not show the same early speed that it had done in its previous races when ridden by him and as such he would have had to ride his mount along in order to obtain a midfield position as instructed. He added he therefore allowed SERGEANT TITANIUM to remain racing where it was comfortable which resulted in the horse being further back in the field than had been intended. He said SERGEANT TITANIUM travelled fairly in the middle stages and in the early part of the Straight was gaining momentum and gave him the impression that it was going to finish off the race. He said however that after being checked near the 350 Metres SERGEANT TITANIUM lost momentum and therefore he eased it down after this point. A veterinary inspection of SERGEANT TITANIUM immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SERGEANT TITANIUM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, T H So (BERLINI) was unable to offer any excuse for the disappointing performance of the horse which gave ground abruptly in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of BERLINI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BERLINI, which had been successful in its two most recent starts, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BERLINI 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 SUPREME PROFIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BASIC TRILOGY and WINNING LEADER were sent for sampling.