05/03/2017  Shatin  Race 4

BERNARD'S CHOICE and FAST ROCKET were crowded for room on jumping between LAUGHING LORD and SHINING CHAMPION, both of which shifted ground. DYNAMIC VOYAGE was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. MR KOOL began awkwardly. After racing tight between BERNARD'S CHOICE and SHINING CHAMPION passing the 1100 Metres, FAST ROCKET was checked passing the 1050 Metres when crowded for room inside SHINING CHAMPION which was taken in by INTELLECTUAL GLIDE which got its head on the side and shifted in away from SPARKLING TALENT despite the efforts of its rider. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error in this incident, no further action was taken. After initially being ridden along to obtain a forward position, MR KOOL was steadied approaching the 1000 Metres to obtain cover. Near the 950 Metres, SPARKLING TALENT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VICTOR EMPEROR. Passing the 900 Metres, INTELLECTUAL GLIDE was awkwardly placed behind SPARKLING TALENT. After the 900 Metres, SPARKLING TALENT was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 400 Metres, FIVE STARS AGENT bumped the hindquarters of O'SOCOOLE which became unbalanced. Passing the 200 Metres, O'SOCOOLE was eased away from the heels of VICTOR EMPEROR. Near the 150 Metres, DYNAMIC VOYAGE shifted in under pressure and bumped INTELLECTUAL GLIDE, resulting in U Rispoli, the rider of DYNAMIC VOYAGE, having to stop riding and straighten his mount. When questioned regarding the performance of MR KOOL, Z Purton stated that the horse was agitated before the start and was then restless in the stalls. He said it had been hoped for the horse to take up a forward position and, with this in mind, he rode his mount aggressively in the early stages in an endeavour to clear SPARKLING TALENT to his inside. He said, despite being ridden along, MR KOOL did not show any early speed and passing the 1000 Metres was left racing very wide. He said he therefore elected to steady MR KOOL making the first turn near the 900 Metres and shift across to obtain cover. He said MR KOOL came off the bridle after the 700 Metres and then, despite being hard pushed rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, did not quicken. He said MR KOOL then did not respond to his riding after this and was disappointing. He added that, in his opinion, MR KOOL may be better suited racing at Happy Valley where its performances had exceeded those at Sha Tin. A veterinary inspection of MR KOOL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LAUGHING LORD immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. FIVE STARS AGENT, VICTOR EMPEROR and DYNAMIC VOYAGE were sent for sampling.