28/04/2019  Shatin  Race 5

CHAMPION SUPREME was slow to begin. CIRCUIT HASSLER shifted out at the start and hampered RED ELYSEES which in turn shifted out and bumped UNICRON JEWELLERY. From outside barriers, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD and XIANG BAI QI were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. CHAMPION SUPREME was unable to obtain clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, PAKISTAN FRIEND momentarily raced tight inside RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE which shifted to the inside of CIRCUIT HASSLER to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, GREEN DISPATCH travelled wide and without cover. GREEN DISPATCH lost its right front plate after the race. After the race, M Harley reported that XIANG BAI QI commenced to hang in after making the turn near the 800 Metres and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, K Teetan stated that as GUY DRAGON was stepping up to 1600 Metres for the first time today, he was asked to have the horse begin as well as possible as GUY DRAGON had not been beginning well in its previous races. He said GUY DRAGON jumped well and he was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to make too much use of the horse. He said he had to ride his mount along approaching the 1400 Metres to cross THE JUDGE to his inside and after this GUY DRAGON travelled satisfactorily. He said however that in the Straight GUY DRAGON did not finish off the race as it had at its previous starts and therefore he recommended to connections that they consider riding the horse more conservatively in its future starts. When questioned regarding the poor performance of PAKISTAN FRIEND, H Bowman stated that he had to continually ride his mount along in the early and middle stages to maintain its position inside GUY DRAGON as PAKISTAN FRIEND was reluctant to hold its position. He said PAKISTAN FRIEND did not travel comfortably at any stage and after again being reluctant to maintain its position near the 350 Metres inside RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE, PAKISTAN FRIEND then gave ground over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN FRIEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PAKISTAN FRIEND, which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PAKISTAN FRIEND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of UNICRON JEWELLERY and SPLENDOUR AND GOLD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPLENDOUR AND GOLD, CHAMPION SUPREME and CORDYCEPS were sent for sampling.