01/07/2018  Shatin  Race 1

SHALLUCK was withdrawn on 30.6.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MAGIC AGILITY (T H So). Before being allowed to race again, SHALLUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MAGIC AGILITY was slow to begin. UNIQUE JOYOUS began awkwardly. FIVE STARS AGENT and TOP ACE were crowded for room on jumping between RISING POWER and SOCCER BRAVE, both of which shifted ground. From the outside barriers, NOBLE DE BOY and LITTLE FANTASY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. JIMSON THE FAMOUS and THE LEGEND were also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. When being steadied to obtain cover passing the winning post on the first occasion, RISING POWER got its head up and travelled keenly. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, DYNAMIC LIONS travelled keenly and got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover behind WONDERFUL TIGER. Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, JIMSON THE FAMOUS was awkwardly placed behind TOP ACE. Passing the 800 Metres, RISING POWER and SOCCER BRAVE raced tight. Passing the 700 Metres, SOCCER BRAVE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WONDERFUL TIGER. Throughout the race, WONDERFUL TIGER travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, N Callan stated that after making the turn at the 700 Metres WONDERFUL TIGER hung in and proved difficult to ride. A veterinary inspection of WONDERFUL TIGER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SOCCER BRAVE, Apprentice C Wong stated that after obtaining a good position trailing the leaders, SOCCER BRAVE felt as though it was going to improve into the race after the 600 Metres. He said however a short distance later SOCCER BRAVE came under pressure when not able to immediately improve to the outside of WONDERFUL TIGER and then appeared to him to lose interest in the race as, despite being hard ridden for the remainder of the race, SOCCER BRAVE did not respond to his riding and weakened noticeably to finish at the rear of the field. A veterinary inspection of SOCCER BRAVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SOCCER BRAVE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOCCER BRAVE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FIVE STARS AGENT was found to be bleeding heavily as a result of a wound to the outside of the right hind coronary band. A subsequent inspection of FIVE STARS AGENT by the Veterinary Surgeon found that horse to have sustained significant hoof damage. Before being allowed to race again, FIVE STARS AGENT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TOP ACE, LUCKY WIN WIN and MY HONEY were sent for sampling.