10/09/2017  Shatin  Race 8

After being placed in the barriers, HO HO FEEL became fractious and reared. HO HO FEEL was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, HO HO FEEL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. GORGEOUS AGAIN began awkwardly and bumped the inside of its barrier gate on jumping which resulted in its rider, J Moreira, becoming unbalanced. HAPPILABABY shifted out at the start and bumped HO HO FEEL. Then from the outside barrier, HO HO FEEL was shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, FRIENDS OF NANJING was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 1000 Metres, WHITE MAGIC got its head up when being checked away from the heels of GRAND HARBOUR (W M Lai) which slowed the tempo. RENAISSANCE ART, which was following WHITE MAGIC, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse in consequence. At the rear of the field, both HAPPILABABY (H W Lai) and HO HO FEEL were checked away from the heels of AMAZING AGILITY and FRIENDS OF NANJING respectively. W M Lai was reprimanded and warned against the practice of excessively slowing the tempo in races. When checked away from the heels of FRIENDS OF NANJING, HO HO FEEL shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse, raced ungenerously for a short distance and afterwards was left racing wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres. H W Lai stated that after this incident HAPPILABABY came off the bridle and then did not travel comfortably. He said in particular HAPPILABABY became unbalanced rounding the Home Turn and as he had concerns regarding the horse’s action, he eased it down over the final 300 Metres. A veterinary inspection of HAPPILABABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HAPPILABABY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPILABABY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 300 Metres, WHITE MAGIC was momentarily crowded for room between WINWIN RUBY and SERGEANT TITANIUM which shifted out. Passing the 150 Metres, WHITE MAGIC was steadied when again crowded for room between WINWIN RUBY and SERGEANT TITANIUM, both of which shifted a minimal amount of ground. AMAZING AGILITY and WINWIN RUBY were sent for sampling.