09/12/2018  Shatin  Race 5

PINGWU SPARK was withdrawn by order of the Stewards when that horse was unable to be loaded. Having regard to PINGWU SPARK’s previous record in respect of being difficult to load, the Stewards ruled that that horse must undergo a series of consecutive barrier trials prior to being permitted to race again. WINNER’S WAY began only fairly. SIR DANCEALOT was slow to begin. D B PIN shifted out on jumping and inconvenienced LIM’S CRUISER. FINE NEEDLE began awkwardly. Approaching the 900 Metres, WINNER’S WAY got its head up. After the 800 Metres, FINE NEEDLE was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 300 Metres, D B PIN was shifted in away from the heels of IVICTORY. D B PIN then had difficulty obtaining clear running between IVICTORY and HOT KING PRAWN for a short distance. When questioned regarding the performance of HOT KING PRAWN, J Moreira stated that after having to make more use of HOT KING PRAWN in the early stages to obtain the lead than he had at its most recent start when the horse was successful, HOT KING PRAWN was then not able to relax as it did last start due to IVICTORY improving to race to its outside from the 800 Metres. He said HOT KING PRAWN initially responded well to his riding in the early part of the Straight, however, over the final 200 Metres did not finish off the race and he attributed this to the fact that the horse had to work harder in the middle stages than it did at its most recent start. A veterinary inspection of HOT KING PRAWN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HOT KING PRAWN, MR STUNNING and D B PIN were sent for sampling.