19/11/2017  Shatin  Race 9

When being saddled, it was noted that HARD BALL GET had swelling in the girth region and was mildly lame in the left front leg. Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that HARD BALL GET was not suitable to race, that horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, HARD BALL GET will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STARSHIP was crowded for room on jumping between HAPPY AGILITY and TANG FLEMING, both of which shifted ground. TOP SCORE and EXPERTO CREDE bumped at the start. ALL YOU NEED began awkwardly and lost ground and then, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from the outside barrier, ROUNDABOUT was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. After the 1200 Metres, ALL YOU NEED got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOP SCORE. After the 1000 Metres, HAPPY JOURNEY raced tight inside BULLISH SMART which was racing tight inside TOP BEAUTIFUL. After the 900 Metres, APOLLO’S CHOICE was left racing wide and without cover and was allowed to stride forward to race outside the lead passing the 700 Metres. Approaching the 800 Metres, MIGHTY MAVERICK got its head up when being checked away from the heels of BULLISH SMART when racing tight inside APOLLO’S CHOICE. Passing the 800 Metres, TANG FLEMING commenced to prove difficult to settle, got its head on the side and shifted out away from the heels of MIGHTY MAVERICK, resulting in TOP SCORE being taken wider. After this, TANG FLEMING continued to race keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MIGHTY MAVERICK. After the 800 Metres, HAPPY JOURNEY was steadied when racing in restricted room inside BULLISH SMART which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CARE FREE PRINCE when continuing to race tight inside TOP BEAUTIFUL. For some distance after the 700 Metres, BULLISH SMART was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOP BEAUTIFUL. Passing the 150 Metres, ROUNDABOUT was shifted out away from the heels of MIGHTY MAVERICK which was taken out by STARSHIP which, after being bumped by HAPPY AGILITY, shifted out away from that horse. The Stewards will question Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of HAPPY AGILITY, regarding the improved performance of the horse. Mr Yiu had departed the racecourse to attend to an overseas commitment. C Y Ho (TOP SCORE) stated that his mount did not feel comfortable in its action at any stage of the race. He said TOP SCORE was unbalanced throughout the race and after being taken wider by TANG FLEMING after the 800 Metres got its head on the side and hung out. He said TOP SCORE continued to be very unbalanced in its action and as he was concerned for the horse’s welfare, he did not ride it out in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of TOP SCORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, TOP SCORE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY AGILITY and TOP BEAUTIFUL were sent for sampling. <26/11/2017 19 November 2017 Sha Tin Racemeeting – Race 9 (207)> The Stewards today questioned Mr P F Yiu regarding the improved performance of HAPPY AGILITY. Mr Yiu stated that the horse had done well after its previous start, which was disappointing, and it was for this reason that he raced the horse so soon after its last run. He said whilst HAPPY AGILITY was down to Class 3 for this run, he did not expect it to be a winning hope as the horse had performed disappointingly up in grade at its previous start. He said the only reasons he could offer to explain the horse’s improved performance was the fact that it was down in grade and racing late that day the track may have been a little more forgiving which may have suited HAPPY AGILITY.