02/05/2018  Shatin  Race 5

After being loaded into the barriers, DASHING GAINER became fractious and reared. DASHING GAINER was removed from the barrier stalls and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After being reloaded, DASHING GAINER again became fractious, reared and momentarily rested its front feet on the front gates. Before being allowed to race again, DASHING GAINER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. TRAVEL AMBASSADOR and TRIUMPH began only fairly and then from wide barriers were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. DASHING GAINER shifted in abruptly at the start and bumped LETSGOFREE which lost ground. Despite being hard ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, STARTLING POWER (M L Yeung) failed to muster speed. After the race, M L Yeung stated that STARTLING POWER raced "flat” in tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of STARTLING POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, GOLDEN EFFORT was steadied passing the 1100 Metres and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover after racing very wide. Passing the 1100 Metres, STARTLING POWER and STARLOT bumped. Then near the 750 Metres, STARLOT became unbalanced when racing tight between HEARTS KEEPER and STARTLING POWER which shifted out marginally. BOND ELEGANCE, which was racing outside STARLOT, was inconvenienced in consequence. Making the turn near the 750 Metres, BOND ELEGANCE shifted out away from the heels of HEARTS KEEPER after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. After this, BOND ELEGANCE travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 400 Metres, LETSGOFREE was shifted to the outside of the heels of SEA PEARL to improve into tight running between that horse and STARTLING POWER. Then at the entrance to the Straight, LETSGOFREE, which was continuing to attempt to improve to the outside of SEA PEARL, was crowded for room between STARTLING POWER and SEA PEARL which shifted out marginally. In this incident, STARTLING POWER and LETSGOFREE bumped on a number of occasions. As the Stewards were satisfied that LETSGOFREE had not established running to the outside of SEA PEARL prior to that horse shifting out, no further action was taken. In the Straight, HEARTS KEEPER lay in under pressure and near the 75 Metres shifted in and inconvenienced GALLANT RETURN. Throughout the race, HEARTS KEEPER travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN EFFORT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BOND ELEGANCE, HEARTS KEEPER and DASHING GAINER were sent for sampling.