13/01/2018  Shatin  Race 6

GOLDEN EFFORT blundered badly on jumping. STARTLING POWER was slow to begin and then lost ground when crowded for room between FISH N’ CHIPS and BOND ELEGANCE which shifted in. GOLDEN EFFORT lost its right front plate in the early stages. Passing the 1000 Metres, SILLY BUDDIES was awkwardly placed outside HEARTS KEEPER which was taken out momentarily by PAKISTAN BABY. Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, STARTLING POWER (D Whyte) proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of BOND ELEGANCE. Then making the turn after the 700 Metres, STARTLING POWER again commenced to prove difficult to settle and passing the 600 Metres lost ground when crowded for room between PAKISTAN BABY and FISH N’ CHIPS which got its head on the side and lay out despite the efforts of its rider. AMAZING FEELING, which was following, was shifted in away from the heels of STARTLING POWER in consequence. After the race, D Whyte reported that although his mount raced tight at this time, STARTLING POWER was reluctant to maintain its position as it appeared to resent the kickback. A veterinary inspection of STARTLING POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. For the majority of the race, PAKISTAN BABY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, S Clipperton stated that he was under specific instructions to shift GOLDIE FLANKER to the outside of runners in the Home Straight as connections believed that the horse performs best when ridden in this manner. He said after racing at the rear of the field, which is usual, he considered shifting GOLDIE FLANKER out passing the 600 Metres to follow KIROV, however, this would have resulted in GOLDIE FLANKER having to cover unnecessary ground and he therefore felt that it was a better option to remain racing to the inside of SILLY BUDDIES with a view to following HEARTS KEEPER through in the early part of the Straight and then shifting to the outside of that horse shortly after entering the Straight. He added he felt that SILLY BUDDIES and KIROV were travelling only fairly rounding the Home Turn and this would provide him with the opportunity to shift to the outside of HEARTS KEEPER were those horses, in particular SILLY BUDDIES to give ground as he anticipated. He said shortly after entering the Straight he shifted GOLDIE FLANKER to follow HEARTS KEEPER, however, SILLY BUDDIES maintained its position outside GOLDIE FLANKER and inside KIROV and as such he was unable to shift to the outside of HEARTS KEEPER as this would have resulted in interference being caused to runners to his outside. He said he was therefore required to make his run to the inside of HEARTS KEEPER in the Straight. He said whilst GOLDIE FLANKER finished off the race strongly, nonetheless he felt that the horse was reluctant to fully stretch out inside other runners which supported the view of connections that GOLDIE FLANKER finishes off its races best if able to be positioned to the outside of runners which was not the case in today’s race. A veterinary inspection of FLYING GODSPELL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FISH N’ CHIPS immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FISH N’ CHIPS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BOND ELEGANCE, MASSIVE MOVE and PAKISTAN BABY were sent for sampling.