21/05/2017  Shatin  Race 7

SUNNY DRAGON turned its head to the left as the start was effected and consequently lost ground. Before the declaration of weighed-in, C Y Ho, the rider of second placegetter, PAKISTAN BABY, sought permission to view footage of the start to establish whether his mount had been afforded a fair start. Jockey Ho was informed of the provisions of Rule 12(19) which precludes any horse, which is declared first, second, third or fourth placegetter, being declared a non-runner on the basis of being denied a fair start. Nonetheless it was established, after taking submissions from Jockey Ho and Mr A Speechley, the Starter, that PAKISTAN BABY, which was being assisted by a handler, became fractious just prior to the start being effected, then lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected, got its head up and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, PAKISTAN BABY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. When being ridden along to assume a forward position soon after the start, BORNTOACHIEVE (Apprentice K K Chiong) shifted out at the 1100 Metres and made contact with LUCKY DAY which was hampered when taken out onto DOLLAR REWARD. Apprentice Chiong was reprimanded and advised to make more effort to keep her mounts straight. Approaching the 1000 Metres, DEJA VU was steadied when awkwardly placed outside the heels of DOLLAR REWARD. At the same stage, STAR OF YAN OI was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ARIZONA BLIZZARD. OHANA lost its right hind plate after the 900 Metres. DOLLARD REWARD was inclined to lay out in the middle stages and near the 500 Metres shifted out and made contact with ARIZONA BLIZZARD. BORNTOACHIEVE was inclined to lay in and raced ungenerously in the early part of the Straight. DEJA VU and SUNNY DRAGON were unable to obtain clear running until the 250 Metres. After passing the 200 Metres, PRIMERO, which was giving ground, had to be steadied away from the heels of BORNTOACHIEVE which shifted out. Over the final 150 Metres, LUCKY DAY had difficulty obtaining clear running and consequently was not able to be fully tested. Approaching the 50 Metres, BORNTOACHIEVE was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of STAR OF YAN OI (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted in. Apprentice Poon was advised to ensure that he makes more effort to keep his mounts straight in similar circumstances. When questioned, N Callan stated that it was anticipated that ARIZONA BLIZZARD would settle in a midfield or slightly behind midfield position, however, after beginning well, the horse took up a prominent position without being pressured. He said after travelling 100 Metres he had a number of horses to his inside and was unable to steady ARIZONA BLIZZARD to find cover, therefore he allowed the horse to stride forward of ELITE SPIRIT and ultimately settled in a three wide position without cover. He said ARIZONA BLIZZARD came under pressure prior to straightening and then weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of ARIZONA BLIZZARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PRIMERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BORNTOACHIEVE, STAR OF YAN OI and PAKISTAN BABY were sent for sampling.