18/03/2018  Shatin  Race 10

SUPER MISSILE was withdrawn on 17.3.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind). Before being allowed to race again, SUPER MISSILE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WHAMPOA STAR was slow to begin. DUKEDOM lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly. CIRCUIT HASSLER shifted out on jumping and bumped COBY BOY. Passing the 1000 Metres, DUKEDOM was awkwardly placed behind COBY BOY. After the 800 Metres, GREEN CARD was left racing wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, RADIANT BUNNY (W M Lai) was taken out by DUKEDOM and after this raced wide and without cover. After the race, W M Lai said the horse’s action did not feel comfortable in today’s race. A veterinary inspection of RADIANT BUNNY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, RADIANT BUNNY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 400 Metres, GREEN CARD and ENCOURAGING bumped. STARSHIP had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres. Near the 150 Metres, GREEN CARD was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of ENCOURAGING. Passing the 150 Metres, BABA MAMA was shifted to the inside of COBY BOY to obtain clear running. Also passing the 150 Metres, K Teetan (STARSHIP) momentarily dropped his right rein. When questioned, C Schofield stated that he was asked to obtain a position in about midfield with cover from the outside barrier if possible. He said whilst it was felt that today’s race would not be run at a strong tempo, it was believed that C P POWER’s best chance to finish off the race would be to obtain cover and it was also felt that midfield would be the best position for the horse given its wide barrier. He said after beginning very well he steadied C P POWER in the early stages and commenced to shift across behind runners to obtain cover. He said because of the circumstances of the race he was unable to obtain a midfield position due to RADIANT BUNNY maintaining its position to the inside of C P POWER approaching and passing the 1200 Metres. He said he had to steady C P POWER further to obtain cover which he was able to do after the 1000 Metres. He said C P POWER travelled fairly during the middle stages of the race and then after being placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight was somewhat reluctant to quicken when racing tight inside RADIANT BUNNY. He added however that C P POWER, despite being ridden along, did not quicken as he expected and he was unable to prevent STARSHIP from shifting out from inside C P POWER. He said after this C P POWER was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of C P POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DUKEDOM, CIRCUIT HASSLER and STARSHIP were sent for sampling.