10/06/2018  Shatin  Race 7

GOOD CHOICE AHEAD shifted out at the start and bumped DR PROACTIVE which became unbalanced. MASTER BERNINI, which was racing outside DR PROACTIVE, shifted out away from that horse, resulting in NAMJONG INVINCIBLE being hampered. From wide barriers, MAGIC POWER, TRIUMPH and QUICK RETURN were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SPICY KAKA was awkwardly placed behind GOOD CHOICE AHEAD. Approaching the 1000 Metres, ELUSIVE STATE was left racing wide and without cover. At the 300 Metres, NAMJONG INVINCIBLE was shifted to the inside of runners after being disappointed for running between SPICY KAKA and MARVEL JOY. Passing the 150 Metres, IMPERIAL CONCORDE was bumped and taken wider by CHATER THUNDER. Passing the 100 Metres, K Teetan (IMPERIAL CONCORDE) dropped his whip. As this was the 4th occasion that K Teetan had dropped his whip in races during this season, he was fined the sum of $5,000. NAMJONG INVINCIBLE lost its right front plate after the race. The performance of MAGIC POWER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MAGIC POWER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, S Clipperton stated that after shifting BEST REWARD across behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier, he rode his mount aggressively approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion in an endeavour to have it improve its position behind the main body of the field as BEST REWARD became detached from the field. He said at no stage of the race did BEST REWARD travel comfortably and near the 600 Metres lay in abruptly and gave him the impression that there was something amiss with the horse as it became badly unbalanced at this time. He added because of this he eased the horse down over the remainder of the race, however, BEST REWARD was detached from the field at this time. He said after the race he could detect no specific abnormality with BEST REWARD, however, the horse did not want to stretch out during the race. A veterinary inspection of BEST REWARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BEST REWARD, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEST REWARD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of MARVEL JOY, O Doleuze stated that the horse became stirred up prior to the race as it did in its recent start when it performed well. He said in today’s race he was able to obtain a good position on MARVEL JOY and he was very happy with the manner in which the horse travelled in the early and middle stages. He said however that after being placed under pressure prior to the Home Turn, MARVEL JOY did not respond to his riding and did not quicken as it did at its most recent start. He added whilst MARVEL JOY was disappointing, he felt that today’s heat may have taken more out of the horse prior to the race than at its last start when the horse raced at night. A veterinary inspection of MARVEL JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. IMPERIAL CONCORDE and CHATER THUNDER were sent for sampling.