13/10/2018  Shatin  Race 1

Whilst in the saddling stalls, SMART ROCKET had its right hind plate refitted. SMART ROCKET was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. GREAT VICTORY began awkwardly and lost ground. SMART ROCKET began only fairly. BELLA BABY shifted out on jumping and bumped BLIZZING AWAY. LE TERROIR and BIG PARTY brushed at the start. Passing the 700 Metres, ROYAL RACER commenced to travel keenly and shifted in away from the heels of HAINAN STAR and in doing so raced tight between that horse and GREAT VICTORY. Passing the 300 Metres, BELLA BABY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of PERFECT MATCH. Also passing the 300 Metres, LE TERROIR became unbalanced of its own accord. Close to the finishing line, LE TERROIR raced close to the heels of BIG PARTY. When questioned regarding the performance of BIG PARTY, N Callan stated that due to the circumstances of its two trials in the lead up to today’s race, BIG PARTY had not needed to come off the bridle and had travelled strongly throughout. He said in its most recent trial, the horse had lay in and therefore consideration was given by connections as to whether the horse should have a further trial leading into today’s race. He said given the likely makeup of today’s race which was run under restricted conditions, it was felt that this would be a suitable option for the horse’s racing debut. He added BIG PARTY travelled well in the early and middle stages albeit the horse was inclined to lay in as it did in its most recent trial which he put down to immaturity. He said whilst BIG PARTY did not finish off the race as well as he anticipated, he felt that the horse would improve markedly for the race experience. Trainer F C Lor confirmed that he did give consideration to giving BIG PARTY another trial prior to racing, however, this was only for experience purposes and not from a fitness point of view. He also offered the opinion that BIG PARTY would benefit greatly from today’s race. A veterinary inspection of BIG PARTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Z Purton was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE but did add that as the horse was first up today it may benefit from the race. A veterinary inspection of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GREAT VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BIG PARTY, STRATHALLAN and HAINAN STAR were sent for sampling.