16/12/2018  Shatin  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to ROYAL PREROGATIVE was replaced. RAY’S CALL began awkwardly and lost ground. ROYAL PREROGATIVE shifted out at the start and bumped VICTOR EMPEROR. From the outside barrier, INDIGENOUS STAR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, BONITO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of COURT RULER. HURRICANE HUNTER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 400 Metres, COURT RULER raced tight outside VICTOR EMPEROR which, when being shifted into tight running outside ROYAL PREROGATIVE, was taken out marginally by that horse. As ROYAL PREROGATIVE could not shift out due to VICTOR EMPEROR improving its position to its outside, ROYAL PREROGATIVE was then directed to the inside of SCARBOROUGH FAIR after the 300 Metres to obtain clear running. Then passing the 200 Metres, ROYAL PREROGATIVE was awkwardly placed behind SCARBOROUGH FAIR which shifted in marginally. ROYAL PREROGATIVE was subsequently able to improve its position inside SCARBOROUGH FAIR approaching the 100 Metres and passing the 100 Metres momentarily raced tight inside SCARBOROUGH FAIR. BONITO had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 300 Metres. Passing the 250 Metres, VICTOR EMPEROR was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of OTOUTO when being directed to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, NATURAL FLARE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of NATURAL FLARE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of RAY’S CALL immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. NATURAL FLARE, HURRICANE HUNTER and VICTOR EMPEROR were sent for sampling.