22/10/2017  Shatin  Race 5

After being loaded into the barriers, MASTER BERNINI became fractious and got its head down, resulting in its rider, C Schofield, dismounting from the horse. MASTER BERNINI was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER BERNINI will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After MASTER BERNINI was reloaded, GRADE ONE became very fractious, reared and sat down, resulting in its rider, Z Purton, being dislodged. GRADE ONE was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race and accordingly GRADE ONE was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Having regard to GRADE ONE’s history in respect of its barrier manners, the Stewards ruled that the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to its next race start. After the race, Z Purton was examined by the Club’s Racing Medical Officer who said in his opinion he was fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. A STAR LUSTER stood flat-footed as the start was effected and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, A STAR LUSTER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. From a wide barrier, GODSPEED was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. SO GENEROUS and HURRICANE HUNTER were also steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. Shortly after the start, LET’S TAKE IT EASY shifted out, resulting in A SHIN HOOF being crowded for room inside FLYING NOBLE. From the outside barrier, MASTER BERNINI was initially shifted across behind runners, however, was unable to obtain cover and consequently travelled wide and without cover in the early and middle stages. When the tempo of the race slackened in the middle stages, MASTER BERNINI was then allowed to stride forward, however, remained racing wide and without cover. Near the 1100 Metres, LET’S TAKE IT EASY got its head up when being checked away from the heels of NOBLE DE LOVE and then passing the 1100 Metres became unbalanced when bumped by VICTORY MASTER when continuing to be awkwardly placed behind NOBLE DE LOVE. Near the 950 Metres, GODSPEED became unbalanced when bumped by VICTORY MASTER (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted in. Apprentice Poon was advised to ensure that he does not place unnecessary pressure on other runners. Approaching the 900 Metres, CELEBRATION became unbalanced when racing close to the heels of VICTORY MASTER. Passing the 200 Metres, A STAR LUSTER shifted out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SO GENEROUS. After the 200 Metres, GODSPEED was shifted to the outside of MASTER BERNINI and bumped VICTORY MASTER. Over the concluding stages, LET’S TAKE IT EASY and NOBLE DE LOVE raced tight. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon stated that it was felt that VICTORY MASTER would have sufficient early speed to lead. He said he was asked not to ride his mount along to obtain a forward position as the horse had failed to finish off its races when ridden in this manner previously, but nonetheless it was expected that the horse would be able to obtain a forward position. He said VICTORY MASTER did not begin well and then became unbalanced shortly after the start when MONEY WINNER shifted out and bumped VICTORY MASTER. He said he niggled at VICTORY MASTER to obtain as forward a position as possible without riding his mount along vigorously given the manner in which he was instructed to ride the horse. He said even when the tempo slowed in the middle stages, he believed that he would have had to ride VICTORY MASTER along to be able to obtain a forward position and therefore he elected, after the 1000 Metres, to find a position with cover, however, it was not until MASTER BERNINI improved forward of VICTORY MASTER after the 800 Metres that he was able to obtain cover. A veterinary inspection of HURRICANE HUNTER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. LET’S TAKE IT EASY and NOBLE DE LOVE were sent for sampling.