10/03/2019  Shatin  Race 10

TRIUMPHANT HORSE began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. PRANCE DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped THE ONE. CALIFORNIA GUNGHO and AMAZING LUCK bumped at the start. HARD PROMISE and WINSTON’S LAD bumped shortly after the start. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, AMAZING LUCK raced tight outside WINNING WAYS when close to the heels of CHAMPION’S WAY which was awkwardly placed outside SOLAR WAI WAI. Passing the 900 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HARD PROMISE. PRANCE DRAGON then continued to race close to the heels of HARD PROMISE which was being steadied to obtain cover behind CALIFORNIA GUNGHO. Then near the 800 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON clipped the heels of HARD PROMISE and stumbled. A veterinary inspection of HARD PROMISE immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained lacerations to the outside of the right hind cannon and the left hind fetlock. Near the 150 Metres, CHAMPION’S WAY, which had been inclined to shift out under pressure, shifted out abruptly, resulting in its rider having to stop riding, straighten his mount and change his whip over into his left hand after the 100 Metres. For the majority of the race, SOLAR WAI WAI travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of PRANCE DRAGON, S de Sousa stated that his mount commenced to travel keenly passing the 900 Metres and then when the pace of the race slackened, it became very awkwardly placed behind HARD PROMISE. He said PRANCE DRAGON then travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages, however, was left flat-footed rounding the Home Turn. He said he placed PRANCE DRAGON under pressure and the horse took some time to gather momentum and then finished off the race only fairly. He added that whilst PRANCE DRAGON was disappointing, he felt that there were some circumstances which may have explained the horse’s failure to finish off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of PRANCE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HARD PROMISE, Apprentice H T Mo stated that he was instructed to ride HARD PROMISE positively and attempt to lead, however, if CALIFORNIA GUNGHO showed more speed than HARD PROMISE, it was acceptable for him to allow that horse to cross and obtain either a trailing position behind CALIFORNIA GUNGHO or to the outside of that horse. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along for some distance in the early stages, however, CALIFORNIA GUNGHO was able to improve its position outside HARD PROMISE without having to be ridden along. He said he therefore elected to allow CALIFORNIA GUNGHO to cross HARD PROMISE near the 800 Metres at which time he immediately shifted to that horse’s outside. He said when SOLAR WAI WAI improved to be racing outside HARD PROMISE after the 800 Metres, his mount would not relax and travelled too keenly. He added because of this HARD PROMISE was then not able to finish off its race. CHAMPION’S WAY and SOLAR WAI WAI were sent for sampling. <11/3/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that TRIUMPHANT HORSE was lame in its right hind leg with a laceration over the stifle on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT HORSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.