20/11/2016  Shatin  Race 6

At declaration time, J Moreira was declared as the rider of both MILITARY ATTACK and HELENE HAPPY STAR. It was established that J Moreira had a firm commitment to ride MILITARY ATTACK. As such, the Stewards permitted H Bowman to be substituted as the rider of HELENE HAPPY STAR. For this declaration error, Trainer J Moore was fined $2,000. ANTICIPATION and MILITARY ATTACK bumped at the start. HELENE SUPER STAR began awkwardly. Near the 1800 Metres, EASTERN EXPRESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLAZING SPEED. Near the 650 Metres, DESIGNS ON ROME and FLAME HERO were taken wider by EASTERN EXPRESS which shifted out to improve. Approaching the 100 Metres, M Chadwick (HELENE SUPER STAR) dropped his whip. In the Straight, EASTERN EXPRESS lay in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. After the race, J Moreira dismounted from MILITARY ATTACK. MILITARY ATTACK was examined by the Veterinary Officer who reported the horse was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MILITARY ATTACK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, K Teetan (DESIGNS ON ROME) stated that today’s race was run at a good tempo in the early stages and he was hoping that the pace would ease after the 1000 Metres as it did at its last start when DESIGNS ON ROME was successful. He said however that, unlike at its most recent start, the tempo of the race did not slacken and DESIGNS ON ROME, despite having quickened nicely after the 800 Metres, was not able to improve into the race as well as he had anticipated it would. He added, in his opinion, DESIGNS ON ROME did not weaken badly in the Straight, rather the horse finished off the race one-paced which he attributed to the tempo of today’s race. A veterinary inspection of DESIGNS ON ROME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DESIGNS ON ROME, SECRET WEAPON and FLAME HERO were sent for sampling.