29/04/2018  Shatin  Race 6

HELENE PARAGON was withdrawn on 26.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind). Before being allowed to race again, HELENE PARAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BLIZZARD got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly on jumping. SEASONS BLOOM lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between WESTERN EXPRESS and SOUTHERN LEGEND which shifted out. In this incident, SEASONS BLOOM bumped the hindquarters of WESTERN EXPRESS which became unbalanced. Passing the 1200 Metres, SOUTHERN LEGEND was awkwardly placed behind PINGWU SPARK. Passing the 1000 Metres, BLIZZARD was crowded for room inside PINGWU SPARK which was taken in marginally by SINGAPORE SLING (C Schofield). C Schofield was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SEASONS BLOOM, J Moreira stated that it was hoped that the horse would be able to obtain a midfield position. He said after being crowded for room at the start, SEASONS BLOOM raced further back in the field than had been intended. He said he also had to ride his mount along for a considerable distance in the early stages to ensure that it did not get too far out of its ground. He said when the pace of the race slackened in the middle stages, he was able to make ground to join the main body of the field. He said after shifting to the outside of BLIZZARD making the Home Turn, SEASONS BLOOM did not quicken as it had in the past and then finished off the race only fairly. He added, in his opinion, the ground that SEASONS BLOOM had to concede in the early stages as a result of being crowded for room on jumping played a significant role in the horse not being able to finish off its race. A veterinary inspection of SEASONS BLOOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BLIZZARD and PINGWU SPARK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY GENERATION and WESTERN EXPRESS were sent for sampling.