24/03/2019  Shatin  Race 4

HAPPY PROJECT began awkwardly, resulting in its rider becoming unbalanced. LEVANTE was slow to begin. TOM’S DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped HEARTS KEEPER which then shifted out and bumped FLYING LOVER which became unbalanced. Passing the 1000 Metres, J Moreira (TOM’S DRAGON) dropped his whip. Passing the 900 Metres, HAPPY PROJECT became unbalanced of its own accord and lost ground. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, FORTUNE HAPPINESS was momentarily eased away from the heels of TOM’S DRAGON which was awkwardly placed inside STAR LUCK. Passing the 300 Metres, HEARTS KEEPER and FORTUNE HAPPINESS raced tight. FORTUNE HAPPINESS was then awkwardly placed inside the heels of FLYING LOVER for a short distance passing the 250 Metres. K C Ng (HAPPY PROJECT) was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip on the horse on three occasions in the Home Straight when it was well out of contention. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY PROJECT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HAPPY PROJECT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY PROJECT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of STAR LUCK, which was having its first race start today, K Teetan stated that he was asked to ride the horse positively. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages from the outside barrier and anticipated that LUNAR ZEPHYR may cross to the lead which would provide him with the opportunity to race to that horse’s outside. He said after the 800 Metres it became apparent to him that a number of runners were maintaining their position to the inside of LUNAR ZEPHYR and he therefore had to make more use of the horse in the early stages to cross those runners to race outside LUNAR ZEPHYR. He said after shifting in to race outside that horse near the 700 Metres, he then steadied STAR LUCK given that he had had to make quite some use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He added STAR LUCK came under pressure entering the Home Straight and then became unbalanced of its own accord passing the 300 Metres. He said after this STAR LUCK gave ground and did not finish off its race. He said given the amount of use he had had to make of STAR LUCK to share the lead and having regard to the fact that STAR LUCK was having its first race start today, he was of the opinion that this accounted for the horse’s failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of STAR LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of ALL YOU NEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of TOM’S DRAGON immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and had bled from both nostrils. Before being allowed to race again, TOM’S DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FLYING LOVER and PRINCE OF GEMS were sent for sampling.