17/03/2019  Shatin  Race 3

YICHUN BLITZ was withdrawn on 16.3.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left fore limb infection) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINWIN THIRTYTHREE (G van Niekerk). Before being allowed to race again, YICHUN BLITZ will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EMERALD SPUR was checked and TRUST ME badly crowded for room on jumping between MULTIMAX (C Williams) which shifted out and BINGO which was taken in by VALIANT DREAM (H N Wong). Both C Williams and H N Wong were advised that in similar circumstances they would be expected to make more of an effort to straighten their mounts sooner than they did on this occasion. From wide barriers, YEE CHEONG LUCKY, DIAMOND BRILLIANT, CHARIZARD and SUPER RED DRAGON were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being hard ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, REGENCY DARLING failed to muster speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. EMERALD SPUR made the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly. TRUST ME had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 400 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, BINGO was momentarily awkwardly placed behind VALIANT DREAM. BINGO then raced in restricted room between VALIANT DREAM and SUPREME PLUS after the 200 Metres and bumped SUPREME PLUS near the 150 Metres. After this, SUPREME PLUS was not able to obtain clear running until passing the 100 Metres and then near the 50 Metres was again unable to obtain clear running behind FRESH POWER. Because of this, SUPREME PLUS was not able to be properly tested over the final 150 Metres. When questioned, S de Sousa stated that it was intended for MERIDIAN GENIUS, which was stepping up to 1200 Metres for the first time today, to obtain a position behind the leaders. He said MERIDIAN GENIUS did not travel well in the early stages and, despite riding his mount along, it was not travelling well enough to prevent BINGO from shifting in front of MERIDIAN GENIUS near the 850 Metres. He said whilst it was available to him to continue to ride MERIDIAN GENIUS along at this time, he felt it was in the best interests of the horse to have it balanced up rather than continue to pressure it to obtain a position where it was not comfortable. He said after obtaining a position behind BINGO which was further back in the field than had been intended, MERIDIAN GENIUS was reluctant to maintain its position behind that horse. He said he had to ride MERIDIAN GENIUS along for a considerable distance approaching and passing the 700 Metres as it was reluctant to continue to race behind BINGO. He added it was not until after entering the Straight that he was able to shift his mount out and MERIDIAN GENIUS then finished off the race well. A veterinary inspection of TRUST ME immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, TRUST ME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHARIZARD and MERIDIAN GENIUS were sent for sampling.