11/02/2017  Shatin  Race 5

Whilst in the saddling stalls, SUPER WISE had its left hind plate adjusted. SUPER WISE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On arrival at the Start, it was noted that TRIUMPHANT JEWEL had lost its right front plate. After this plate was refitted, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Shortly after the start, DIEGO KOSTA (Z Purton) blundered after being bumped by FORTUNE BO BO which shifted out. After the race, Z Purton stated that after this DIEGO KOSTA did not travel comfortably and had to be ridden along to maintain its position in the early stages. He said DIEGO KOSTA did not respond to his riding and gave ground and he felt that the incident at the start may have had some bearing on the horse’s performance. INTREPIC became unbalanced on jumping when bumped by BEAUTY MASTER which shifted out. After travelling a short distance, INTREPIC and BIG TIME BABY were crowded for room between TRIUMPHANT JEWEL and BEAUTY MASTER, both of which shifted ground. Passing the 800 Metres, MAGIC LEGEND commenced to lay out and then passing the 600 Metres got its head on the side and hung in. After this, MAGIC LEGEND continued to lay in under pressure. Near the 650 Metres, INTREPIC was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of DIEGO KOSTA which shifted out away from the heels of MAGIC LEGEND. Passing the 500 Metres, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL was momentarily crowded for room between SO FAST and DIEGO KOSTA which shifted out marginally. TRIUMPHANT JEWEL then had some difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 400 Metres. Over the last 500 Metres, BIG TIME BABY lay out and proved difficult to ride. Approaching the 200 Metres, DIEGO KOSTA was momentarily crowded for room between SUPER WISE which shifted out marginally and SO FAST (B Prebble) which shifted in under pressure. B Prebble was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 200 Metres, TRIUMPHANT JEWEL was again momentarily held up for clear running. After being shifted to the outside of the heels of BEAUTY MASTER passing the 200 Metres, TRAVEL DATUK raced in restricted room outside that horse and behind GALLANT ROCK. This resulted in TRAVEL DATUK being unable to obtain clear running until passing the 100 Metres. When questioned, K Teetan stated that it had been intended for ACE KING to be ridden in a forward position as is normal. He said it was anticipated that although the horse had drawn to the inside, it would have sufficient natural early speed to be able to race on the speed. He said after being fractious in the barriers and rearing, ACE KING, despite being urged along to take up a forward position, did not show the same early speed that it did at its last start when ridden by him. He said ACE KING did not travel on the bridle and was under pressure a long way from the finish. He added that ACE KING did not respond to his riding in a manner he thought it would and finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of ACE KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, J Moreira stated that SUPER WISE travelled well in the early stages, however, commenced to travel keenly passing the 700 Metres. He said after this SUPER WISE relaxed better, however, when shifted in to obtain clear running near the 500 Metres, the horse did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SUPER WISE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER WISE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of INTREPIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of INTREPIC, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, INTREPIC will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DIEGO KOSTA immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a laceration to the inside of the left front heel. SUPER WISE, MAGIC LEGEND and FORTUNE BO BO were sent for sampling.