21/10/2018  Shatin  Race 3

DESTIN began awkwardly and lost ground. ROMANTIC CHEF and JOYFUL CONTENDER bumped at the start. JOYFUL CONTENDER then became unbalanced when crowded for room between ROMANTIC CHEF and HARBOUR CENTURY which shifted out. BINGO HERO began awkwardly and bumped the hindquarters of EVERBRAVE, causing that horse to become unbalanced. Then from a wide barrier, BINGO HERO was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, HONEST WAY was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. CHARIZARD was also steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. Near the 950 Metres, HARBOUR CENTURY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of LET’S COME BACK. Passing the 700 Metres, ROMANTIC CHEF (Z Purton) got its head up when being checked away from the heels of KING MORTAR after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse as a result of DESTIN improving into tight running between ROMANTIC CHEF and BLAZING PARTNERS. Z Purton stated that after this ROMANTIC CHEF was not able to become balanced and consequently did not finish off the race. He said he is of the view that the horse will be better suited in races run over further than the 1200 Metres of today’s race as this should allow it the opportunity to travel more comfortably than it is able to over shorter distances. A veterinary inspection of ROMANTIC CHEF immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Near the 650 Metres, BLAZING PARTNERS lost ground when crowded for room inside EMERALD SPUR which got its head on the side and shifted in away from HARBOUR CENTURY which was being steadied in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover behind LET’S COME BACK. When questioned regarding his riding of BINGO HERO in the early part of the Straight, G van Niekerk stated that rounding the Home Turn he shifted BINGO HERO out in order to obtain clear running. He said there were a number of horses positioned in advance of BINGO HERO and it took some time in the early part of the Straight for a run to develop between ROMANTIC CHEF and CHARIZARD. He said when this run developed, he then commenced to ride BINGO HERO along in order to improve into that run. He said he considered shifting BINGO HERO to the outside of CHARIZARD passing the 300 Metres, however, HONEST WAY was racing to that horse’s outside and he consequently directed BINGO HERO back to the inside of CHARIZARD to continue improving. G van Niekerk was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, this was not the first occasion that he was questioned regarding his riding of horses in the early part of the Straight. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to improve their position at the earliest available opportunity and not to give them too much to do in their races. COMPLACENCY and EMERALD SPUR were sent for sampling.