03/03/2018  Shatin  Race 6

SUPREME WITNESS began only fairly. SUPERIOR BOY shifted out on jumping and made heavy contact with MIGHTY MAVERICK, causing that horse to become badly unbalanced. In this incident, SUPERIOR BOY lost its left front plate. SUNNY POWER lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between HAPPY HAPPY which shifted out marginally and THE FULL BLOOM which was taken in by PLANET STAR which shifted in abruptly at the start. From the outside barrier, EMPIRE STAR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain cover after the 1300 Metres, BEST RUNNER got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. Passing the 1100 Metres, MIGHTY MAVERICK shifted in away from the heels of BEST RUNNER which continued to prove very difficult to settle when awkwardly placed behind LUCKY STORM. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, MIGHTY MAVERICK got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of SUPERIOR BOY. AMBITIOUS HEART lay out rounding the Home Turn. Near the 150 Metres, HAPPY HAPPY was awkwardly placed behind MIGHTY MAVERICK and inside DUTCH WINDMILL. Then after being shifted to the outside of MIGHTY MAVERICK, HAPPY HAPPY got its head on the side and lay out. Close to the finishing line, HAPPY HAPPY was steadied away from the heels of MIGHTY MAVERICK which was taken out by SUNNY POWER which shifted out abruptly before being corrected by its rider. When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo (AMBITIOUS HEART) stated that he was asked to ride the horse positively in the early stages and obtain a position with cover and it was hoped that this would be in advance of midfield. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages, however, AMBITIOUS HEART was not able to cross MONEY MONEY which was racing to its inside. He said he therefore elected to steady AMBITIOUS HEART after the 1300 Metres to obtain a trailing position behind that horse, however, prior to being able to steady AMBITIOUS HEART sufficiently, DUTCH WINDMILL was able to improve to the inside of AMBITIOUS HEART which resulted in AMBITIOUS HEART being further back in the field than had been hoped and having to race wide and without cover from after the 1200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of BEST RUNNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BEST RUNNER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEST RUNNER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RAGING STORM and EMPIRE STAR were sent for sampling.