14/01/2017  Shatin  Race 4

Just prior to the start being effected, IMPERIAL SEAL (J Moreira) got its head down and as the gates opened began very awkwardly, shifted out abruptly and bumped AMAZING ALWAYS. In the process of correcting his mount, J Moreira dropped his whip. GO BEAUTY GO and ZOOMOOL bumped at the start. A short distance later, GO BEAUTY GO was steadied when crowded for room between ZOOMOOL and HOUSE OF LUCK which was taken out by TERRIFIC MASTER. FAIR COMMENT shifted out at the start and bumped SWEET HOME. From a wide barrier, KING’S MAN was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. ZOOMOOL hung in for some distance in the early stages and bumped the hindquarters of HOUSE OF LUCK on a number of occasions, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 1200 Metres, AMAZING ALWAYS was crowded for room inside KING’S MAN which was taken in by ZOOMOOL when continuing to race ungenerously. Approaching the 500 Metres, ZOOMOOL, which was giving ground, momentarily raced in restricted room between DASHING DART and FORTUNE GIGGLES. Approaching the 450 Metres, METALLIC STAR was crowded for room between SWEET HOME which got its head on the side and lay in and IMPERIAL SEAL which was shifting out away from the heels of GO BEAUTY GO. At the entrance to the Straight, CHEERS CONQUEROR was bumped by KING’S MAN which was shifting out into clear running. Passing the 300 Metres, METALLIC STAR was shifted in away from the heels of SWEET HOME. Near the 250 Metres, IMPERIAL SEAL was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GO BEAUTY GO (S de Sousa) which shifted out. After the 200 Metres, GO BEAUTY GO shifted in under pressure, resulting in S de Sousa changing his whip over into his right hand near the 150 Metres. GO BEAUTY GO then shifted out under pressure and bumped IMPERIAL SEAL on two occasions near the 100 Metres, causing both horses to become unbalanced. S de Sousa was reprimanded and advised that when his mount commenced to shift out, he should have stopping riding and straightened it rather than making unnecessary contact with IMPERIAL SEAL. Throughout the race, SWEET HOME travelled wide and without cover. The performances of ZOOMOOL, GO-GETTER and FAIR COMMENT, all of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ZOOMOOL, GO-GETTER and FAIR COMMENT 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, S Clipperton (DASHING DART) stated that after being slow to begin, he rode his mount along in the early stages as it commenced to become detached from the field shortly after the start. He said he slapped DASHING DART down the shoulder with the whip after the 1500 Metres and then, despite riding it along vigorously, DASHING DART would not improve its position. He said he had to use the whip on the horse after the 1000 Metres in an attempt to have DASHING DART improve its position and after the 800 Metres was again required to ride the horse vigorously as it was not showing any interest in the race at that time. He added after the 600 Metres DASHING DART improved inside ZOOMOOL and then made up ground steadily in the Straight. When questioned, N Callan stated that he had been asked to ride TERRIFIC MASTER in about a midfield position as it was expected that today’s race would be run at a good tempo. He said he was further instructed to obtain a position one horse off the rail so that TERRIFIC MASTER would be able to make its run outside of horses in the Home Straight. Mr C W Chang, the trainer of TERRIFIC MASTER, stated that he had been informed by riders who had previously ridden the horse that it is better suited when able to make its run outside other horses as TERRIFIC MASTER is a long striding horse. He said although TERRIFIC MASTER had run well at its first start for his stable earlier this season when it made ground in the Straight close to the rail, the horse’s action seemed to him to be better suited by being placed outside horses and for this reason he instructed Jockey Callan to remain racing in a position one horse off the rail if possible. IMPERIAL SEAL and KING’S MAN were sent for sampling.