16/07/2017  Shatin  Race 7

ISHVARA was withdrawn on 15.7.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DEJA VU (Apprentice H N Wong). Before being allowed to race again, ISHVARA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FIRST FONTEIN was slow to begin. UNICORN shifted out at the start and bumped SMILING CHARM. GREEN ENERGY was crowded for room on jumping between PRETTY BAUHINIA and LET US WIN which shifted out. From the outside barrier, AMAZING AGILITY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1400 Metres, UNICORN got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of SMILING CHARM. After this, UNICORN lost its left front plate. After the 1000 Metres, WINWIN RUBY was checked away from the heels of GREEN ENERGY which was steadied to allow GOLD LAND to cross. DEJA VU, which was following, got it head up when being steadied away from the heels of WINWIN RUBY in consequence. Throughout the race, LET US WIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice K K Chiong (UNICORN) stated that she had to ride her mount hard, particularly in the early stages, in an attempt to make up ground. She said UNICORN did not appear to be stretching out comfortably and she again had to ride the horse vigorously rounding the Home Turn in an attempt to have it improve its position. She said UNICORN did not finish off its race and was reluctant to improve between runners passing the 250 Metres despite being ridden along. She added after this UNICORN failed to close off. When questioned, U Rispoli (PRETTY BAUHINIA) stated that, from the wide barrier, he was asked to shift the horse across behind runners so as not to be caught wide. He said after shifting across to race behind SMILING CHARM approaching the 1000 Metres, he had to ride his mount for a considerable distance throughout the middle stages, however, PRETTY BAUHINIA would not improve its position. He said when PRETTY BAUHINIA was taken wider by AMAZING AGILITY after the 500 Metres, PRETTY BAUHINIA commenced to make an abnormal breathing noise and as he had concern regarding the horse’s welfare, he eased it down in the early part of the Straight. He added after the race PRETTY BAUHINIA appeared to be trotting soundly, however, was not completely balanced in its action. A veterinary inspection of PRETTY BAUHINIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PRETTY BAUHINIA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PRETTY BAUHINIA 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 LET US WIN and WINWIN RUBY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREEN ENERGY and APOLLO’S CHOICE were sent for sampling.