23/10/2016  Shatin  Race 8

FLARING SPEED was withdrawn on 22.10.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter AVELLINO (N Callan). Before being allowed to race again, FLARING SPEED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SMART BOY was crowded for room on jumping between UNICORN and SIMPLY INVINCIBLE which shifted in. From a wide barrier, KIRAM was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. ROYAL ELITE and RUBY COAST were also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. BABA MAMA was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 350 Metres, THUNDER STOMP was checked when crowded for room between BABA MAMA (N Rawiller) which shifted out away from the heels of ABLE DEED in an attempt to obtain clear running and SEMPITERNAL (S de Sousa) which shifted in. Both N Rawiller and S de Sousa were reprimanded and advised that, in similar circumstances, they would be expected to exercise more care than they did on this occasion. Approaching the 200 Metres, SEMPITERNAL was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BABA MAMA which shifted out. UNICORN lost its right front plate after the race. When questioned, Mr D J Hall, the trainer of SIMPLY INVINCIBLE, stated that upon reflection, he did not believe that SIMPLY INVINCIBLE was as disappointing at its last start as he first thought. He said unlike today when SIMPLY INVINCIBLE was able to have clear running in the early part of the Straight after racing three wide with cover throughout the early and middle stages, last start SIMPLY INVINCIBLE was not able to obtain a clear run in the early part of the Straight. He said he felt that as a consequence SIMPLY INVINCIBLE lost its momentum and was not able to finish off as strongly as it did today. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CALIFORNIA JOY, D Whyte stated that the horse travelled very well in a position behind the leaders and he expected it would sprint well when asked in the Straight. He said after obtaining clear running inside SENSATION at the entrance to the Straight, when that horse shifted out, he immediately became concerned with the manner in which CALIFORNIA JOY was going to close off as it did not quicken. He said when placed under heavy pressure, CALIFORNIA JOY did not respond and was particularly disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the final 200 Metres. He added the horse, in his opinion, raced "flat" today. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. UNICORN, RUBY COAST, SIMPLY INVINCIBLE and BABA MAMA were sent for sampling.