12/11/2016  Shatin  Race 8

SPICY SURE was slow to begin and after this was shifted across behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier. TWIN DELIGHT and SUPER LIFELINE bumped at the start. Then despite being ridden along in the early stages, both TWIN DELIGHT and SUPER LIFELINE failed to muster speed. MY LITTLE FRIEND and ALL YOU WISH were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the 1100 Metres, BLIZZARD got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. Near the 950 Metres, EROICO shifted out away from the heels of MR BOGART. FRIENDS OF KA YING, which was following, was steadied in consequence, resulting in BLIZZARD, which was following FRIENDS OF KA YING and continuing to prove difficult to settle, being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Passing the 900 Metres, SUPER LIFELINE was awkwardly placed behind TWIN DELIGHT. APOLLO’S CHOICE was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 250 Metres attempted to improve into tight running between ALMABABY and WAH MAY FRIEND. Passing the 200 Metres, APOLLO’S CHOICE was disappointed for running inside WAH MAY FRIEND which got its head on the side and shifted in away from MR BOGART. APOLLO’S CHOICE was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of WAH MAY FRIEND which shifted out marginally. Passing the 200 Metres, FRIENDS OF KA YING was tightened for room between BLIZZARD and EROICO, both of which shifted ground. Passing the 150 Metres, ALL YOU WISH was bumped and taken wider by SUPER LIFELINE which improved quickly to be racing close to the heels of FRIENDS OF KA YING which shifted out marginally. For the majority of the race, FRIENDS OF KA YING travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards considered an application from Jockey N Rawiller and Trainer C S Shum for CIRCUIT LAND to be declared a non-runner. After taking evidence from Jockey Rawiller, Mr Shum and Mr A Speechley, Starter and after viewing the videos, it was established that after being placed in the barriers CIRCUIT LAND became fractious. CIRCUIT LAND then stood satisfactorily for a short amount of time, however, as the start was effected reared abruptly, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. As the Stewards were of the opinion that CIRCUIT LAND had caused its own difficulties, in the circumstances that horse was found to have been afforded a fair start and accordingly was deemed to be a runner. Before being allowed to race again, CIRCUIT LAND will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. After the race, it was reported that TWIN DELIGHT had sustained a small cut to the inside of its left front cannon and MR BOGART had sustained abrasions to the right hind tendon. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT LAND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RACING SUPERNOVA and MR BOGART were sent for sampling.