18/03/2018  Shatin  Race 7

WISHFUL THINKER, which was fractious in the barriers, bounded in the air as the start was effected and consequently lost ground. Before being allowed to race again, WISHFUL THINKER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. INFINITY ENDEAVOUR began very awkwardly and lost ground. Shortly after the start, LAMAROSA was bumped by WALDORF which was taken out by IRON BOY. From the outside barriers, PHOTON WILLIE and SAM’S LOVE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. FLASH FAMOUS lost its right hind plate after the 1000 Metres. Passing the 800 Metres, LAMAROSA was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY HERO (Z Purton) which shifted in when not properly clear. Z Purton was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. ALL BEST FRIENDS, which was following LAMAROSA, became awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse in consequence and shifted in near the 750 Metres, resulting in INFINITY ENDEAVOUR being momentarily tightened. INFINITY ENDEAVOUR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ALWAYS WIN approaching the 400 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, ALL BEST FRIENDS was awkwardly placed behind LAMAROSA and then passing the 300 Metres was steadied away from the heels of that horse which shifted out. Passing the 400 Metres, ALWAYS WIN shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of BIG FORTUNE, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. IRON BOY was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Throughout the race, VICTORY MACHINE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, C Schofield (WISHFUL THINKER) stated that rounding the Home Turn he anticipated that the rider of INFINITY ENDEAVOUR would shift his mount out to follow IRON BOY which would provide him with the opportunity to improve to the inside that horse which he considered to be the main opposition in the race. He said when INFINITY ENDEAVOUR continued to race towards the rail, he shifted his mount to the outside of that horse shortly after entering the Straight. He said however that WISHFUL THINKER lay in in the early part of the Straight and was reluctant to shift out. He said he had considered coming to the outside of VICTORY MACHINE near the 300 Metres when that horse commenced to give ground abruptly, however, he remained racing to the inside of that horse in the hope that clear running would become available. He added when BIG FORTUNE commenced to give ground, he shifted to the outside of that horse passing the 200 Metres and then was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LAMAROSA approaching and passing the 100 Metres. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on LAMAROSA at the request of Trainer P O’Sullivan. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LAMAROSA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BIG FORTUNE and VICTORY MACHINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALWAYS WIN and LUCKY HERO were sent for sampling.