24/09/2017  Shatin  Race 10

RICKFIELD was slow to begin. MEGA RED and CITRON SPIRIT were badly crowded for room on jumping between MONGOLIAN KING which shifted out and BABA MAMA which was taken in by JOYFUL MOMENTS which in turn was taken in by CALIFORNIA WHIP. Shortly after the start, CITRON SPIRIT was shifted in away from the heels of CALIFORNIA WHIP. JOLLY JOLLY was steadied in the early stages to obtain a position with cover. KEEN VENTURE was steadied in the early stages from a wide barrier and shifted across behind runners. When being steadied to allow CALIFORNIA WHIP to cross after the 1300 Metres, MONGOLIAN KING (U Rispoli) proved difficult to settle. U Rispoli stated that after being crossed by CALIFORNIA WHIP near the 1000 Metres, MONGOLIAN KING commenced to prove very difficult to settle which surprised him given that it had previously raced tractably when ridden by him. He said as the tempo of the race in the middle stages was slow, MONGOLIAN KING refused to settle and he had to severely check his mount away from the heels of CALIFORNIA WHIP from after the 1000 Metres until after the 700 Metres. He added passing the 600 Metres MONGOLIAN KING then came under heavy pressure and, despite being ridden out rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, gave ground abruptly. A veterinary inspection of MONGOLIAN KING immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. As this was the second occasion it was found to have an irregular heart rhythm, MONGOLIAN KING will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. Approaching and passing the 900 Metres, BABA MAMA commenced to travel keenly and was checked away from the heels of MONGOLIAN KING. RICKFIELD got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENCOUNTER near the 800 Metres. HANG’S DECISION lost its left front plate near the 800 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn, BABA MAMA and MEGA RED raced tight. ENCOUNTER had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. RICKFIELD was held up for clear running from near the 350 Metres until approaching the 200 Metres at which time the horse had to be steadied and shifted to the outside of KEEN VENTURE to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, HANG’S DECISION was momentarily steadied away from the heels of CITRON SPIRIT (C Schofield) which shifted in. C Schofield was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the 50 Metres, Apprentice H N Wong (HEALTHY JOYFUL) momentarily lost the use of his left rein. Throughout the race, JOYFUL MOMENTS travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of BABA MAMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MONGOLIAN KING, CITRON SPIRIT and SOLAR HEI HEI were sent for sampling.