18/05/2019  Shatin  Race 10

DOCTOR GEOFF shifted in at the start and bumped RIVET. LOBO’S LEGEND began awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from wide barriers, RED WARRIOR and SICHUAN DAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 400 Metres, KING OPIE was shifted to the inside of RIVET after being disappointed for running to the outside of that horse. Passing the 400 Metres, DOCTOR GEOFF raced tight outside RIGHT CHOICE which improved to the outside of CHARITY GO. Approaching the 300 Metres, LOBO’S LEGEND was shifted to the inside of RIVET after being disappointed for a run between RED WARRIOR and COBY BOY. Near the 250 Metres, RIVET was steadied away from the heels of DOCTOR GEOFF (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted out abruptly. After this, DOCTOR GEOFF continued to shift out as Apprentice Wong changed his whip from his right hand into his left hand. Apprentice Wong was told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to straighten his mounts before attempting to change the whip over. At the 200 Metres, LOBO’S LEGEND was shifted out away from the heels of KING OPIE which shifted to the outside of RIGHT CHOICE to continue improving. Throughout the race, CHARITY GO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, G van Niekerk stated that he had been provided with two sets of instructions for how KING OPIE should be ridden. He said if KING OPIE began very well, he should take advantage of this and obtain a forward position, however, in the event that KING OPIE, which was running over 1600 Metres for the first time, did not begin very well, he should shift the horse across behind runners and obtain a position with cover. He said this was based on the manner in which KING OPIE performed in a barrier trial in the lead up to today’s race. He said in that trial KING OPIE finished well after being ridden off the speed. He said, in his opinion, whilst KING OPIE had been racing consistently, the horse had not been finding the line strongly at the end of its recent races and therefore it was felt that KING OPIE may benefit by being ridden more conservatively. He added KING OPIE began only fairly today and therefore he immediately commenced to shift across behind runners and obtain cover in a position behind midfield. He said when ridden more quietly, KING OPIE finished off the race well. After the race, K Teetan (PERFECT MATCH) stated that although his mount became fractious in the barriers and lunged at the front gates, he did not believe this had a bearing on the performance of the horse. He said PERFECT MATCH was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to be ridden along and after obtaining a trailing position behind CIRCUIT GLORY near the 1000 Metres then travelled well. He said however that, in his opinion, the horse was disappointing in the Straight in that it did not finish off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT MATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RIVET and COBY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RED WARRIOR and CHAMPION’S WAY were sent for sampling.