08/04/2018  Shatin  Race 8

PINGWU SPARK, which was difficult to load, will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test before being allowed to race again. Shortly after the start, PAKISTAN STAR was awkwardly placed outside the heels of TIME WARP which shifted out. JOYFUL TRINITY, BEAUTY ONLY and HELENE PARAGON were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, WESTERN EXPRESS commenced to travel keenly and was checked away from the heels of PINGWU SPARK. Approaching the 1100 Metres, DINOZZO was crowded for room between HELENE PARAGON (S Clipperton) which shifted in and WESTERN EXPRESS which shifted out when being checked away from the heels of PINGWU SPARK. S Clipperton was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. At the entrance to the Straight, PINGWU SPARK was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HELENE PARAGON. BEAUTY GENERATION had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching and passing the 300 Metres, BEAUTY GENERATION and FIFTY FIFTY raced tight inside HELENE PARAGON which shifted in marginally. Near the 250 Metres, FIFTY FIFTY was awkwardly placed between HELENE PARAGON and BEAUTY GENERATION which got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 200 Metres, S Clipperton (HELENE PARAGON) dropped his right rein. As S Clipperton was attempting to regather the rein, HELENE PARAGON shifted out, resulting in WESTERN EXPRESS being crowded for room inside PINGWU SPARK. S Clipperton was able to regather the right rein passing the 150 Metres. When questioned, J Moreira stated that after the 1200 Metres PAKISTAN STAR commenced to give ground when reluctant to stretch out. He said he rode the horse aggressively for a considerable distance after this and PAKISTAN STAR then commenced to race more generously approaching the 1000 Metres. He said however by this stage the horse had given away a significant amount of ground. He said he was able to get PAKISTAN STAR to make up ground to race closer to the field after the 800 Metres, however, approaching the 700 Metres PAKISTAN STAR was again reluctant to race and he had to ride the horse along vigorously to have it maintain its position close behind other runners. He added he was able to shift the horse out rounding the Home Turn and after shifting to the outside of runners at the entrance to the Straight PAKISTAN STAR finished off the race strongly. After hearing submissions from Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of PAKISTAN STAR, the Stewards ruled that PAKISTAN STAR must barrier trial satisfactorily over 1600 Metres on the turf prior to being permitted to race again. When questioned regarding the performance of TIME WARP, Z Purton stated that although the horse was dropping back in distance today, it looked particularly well prior to the race and he anticipated that TIME WARP would perform well. He said after taking up a forward position as is customary with the horse, the early sectionals of the race were faster than he had hoped as a number of horses were also ridden to take up a forward position outside TIME WARP. He said although the race was being run at a strong tempo in the early and middle stages, this did not overly concern him as TIME WARP had previously performed well when ridden in this manner. He said TIME WARP travelled satisfactorily rounding the Home Turn, however, when HELENE PARAGON improved to be racing on terms with TIME WARP near the 300 Metres, TIME WARP was disappointing in its failure to respond when placed under pressure as the horse usually responds well when being challenged by other runners. He added he was not able to offer any excuse for the horse’s run given that it had previously performed well under similar circumstances albeit at distances longer than the 1600 Metres of today. Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of TIME WARP, stated that, in his opinion, TIME WARP is better suited over longer distances and today’s performance could be attributed to the horse not racing as well over 1600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of TIME WARP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, K Teetan stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on FIFTY FIFTY. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was strong and because of this FIFTY FIFTY was then not able to finish off the race. He said after the race he recommended to connections that FIFTY FIFTY be ridden more conservatively as this would, in his opinion, provide it with the better opportunity to finish off its races. A veterinary inspection of FIFTY FIFTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TIME WARP, BEAUTY ONLY and WESTERN EXPRESS were sent for sampling.