21/01/2018  Shatin  Race 4

WUSHU CHAMPION, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and then together with HINYUEN SWIFTNESS was crowded for room shortly after the start between LUCKY WIN WIN which shifted in marginally and TRAVEL EMPEROR which shifted out. DESTIN shifted out at the start and bumped FLAME LILY. FLAME LILY then raced tight between DESTIN and ROYAL CHOCOLATE. In this incident, ROYAL CHOCOLATE became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by FLAME LILY. RED ELYSEES shifted out at the start and bumped VITAL SPRING From a wide barrier, MARQULA, after beginning awkwardly, was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from the outside barrier, HAPPY JOURNEY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, DESTIN was bumped by ROYAL CHOCOLATE which, after being ridden along, was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of TRAVEL EMPEROR which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening. After the 1100 Metres, HINYUEN SWIFTNESS was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. Passing the 400 Metres, FLAME LILY was brushed by RED ELYSEES which shifted out to obtain clear running. HINYUEN SWIFTNESS, which was racing outside FLAME LILY, shifted out away from that horse, resulting in LUCKY TIME being inconvenienced. Approaching the 200 Metres, MARQULA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MEGA TREASURE due to both horses shifting ground. Passing the 200 Metres, VITAL SPRING was momentarily crowded for room between TRAVEL EMPEROR and DESTIN (T Berry) which shifted in abruptly. As the Stewards were satisfied that T Berry had reacted promptly to DESTIN’s shift by straightening his mount as quickly as could be expected, no further action was taken. When questioned, C Schofield stated that after being fractious in the barriers and then being hampered at the start, WUSHU CHAMPION raced further back in the field than had been expected. He said it was hoped that the horse may be able to obtain a midfield position, similar to the run that it was afforded from a more favourable barrier last start when successful. He said even though WUSHU CHAMPION raced further back in the field than had been intended, the horse was disappointing as it only gave him a limited response in the early part of the Straight and then over the concluding stages was particularly disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He added because of the manner in which WUSHU CHAMPION raced in the Straight, he did not believe that the horse being required to race back of the field presented a reasonable excuse for its disappointing run. He said, when giving ground, WUSHU CHAMPION’s action shortened, however, it did not feel sore. A veterinary inspection of WUSHU CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HINYUEN SWIFTNESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY TIME, DESTIN and RED ELYSEES were sent for sampling.