10/09/2017  Shatin  Race 3

MIDNITE PROMISE began awkwardly. HIT A HOME RUN (Apprentice M F Poon) was badly held up for clear running from after the 400 Metres until after the 300 Metres as Apprentice Poon attempted to improve into tight running between MY GIFT and EVEREST which was not available. Apprentice Poon was spoken to regarding this matter. At the 300 Metres, HIT A HOME RUN was then shifted in to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, MY GIFT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he had been asked to try and lead on UNIQUE HAPPIEST, however, if another runner was intent on leading, then it would be acceptable for him to take a sit off that horse. He said despite the race being run at a very slow tempo in the early stages, UNIQUE HAPPIEST did not show as much early speed as he anticipated and, despite riding his mount along for some distance, he was not able to cross runners to his inside. He said he would have had to make considerable use of UNIQUE HAPPIEST in an endeavour to clear runners to his inside and as he was reluctant to do that in the early stages, this therefore allowed BEST EFFORT to improve its position to the inside of UNIQUE HAPPIEST. He added as he formed the view that that horse would improve its position and obtain the lead, he elected to continue to race outside BEST EFFORT and shift in with that horse as it crossed to the rail. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EVEREST, S Clipperton stated that the horse was not suited by the slow tempo of today’s race in the early stages. He said in its races EVEREST had been able to relax when covered up by other horses soon after the start. He said however today when the leaders took some time to cross EVEREST and provide the horse with cover, EVEREST travelled keenly and would not settle as he had hoped. He added after obtaining cover approaching the first turn EVEREST was not able to quicken when the tempo of the race increased after the 600 Metres. He said after this EVEREST finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of EVEREST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of AMBITIOUS HEART, Z Purton stated that the horse raced disappointingly. He said unlike in a number of starts when AMBITIOUS HEART was able to obtain cover in the early stages, in today’s race it took a considerable distance for the leaders to cross AMBITIOUS HEART to provide his mount with cover. He said it was not until near the 900 Metres that BEST EFFORT crossed AMBITIOUS HEART and he felt that this may have had some bearing on the horse’s performance. He added he also felt that racing over 1600 Metres first up today may also have been a contributing factor to the horse’s failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AMBITIOUS HEART, HIT A HOME RUN and INDUSTRIALIST WAY were sent for sampling.