12/06/2019  Shatin  Race 6

JOYFUL MOMENTS and MEGA HEART were slow to begin. SIMPLY BIG shifted out at the start and hampered NUCLEAR POWER. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, SIMPLY BIG got its head on the side, lay out towards the heels of STRATHCLYDE and lost ground. Throughout the race, STRATHCLYDE and CALIFORNIA GUNGHO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice K H Chan (SIMPLY BIG) stated that he received a call from the rider of HANDSOME REBEL just prior to straightening and he was therefore reluctant to shift out rounding the Home Turn to improve to the outside of STRATHCLYDE. He said when STRATHCLYDE quickened in the early part of the Straight, he remained racing behind that horse until he was confident that SIMPLY BIG could shift to its outside without causing interference to runners to his outside which he was able to do passing the 300 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of HANDSOME REBEL in the Straight, Z Purton stated that he rode his mount along vigorously after the 600 Metres and rounding the Home Turn to remain racing outside SIMPLY BIG. He said, despite being vigorously ridden, HANDSOME REBEL was unable to maintain its position outside that horse and SIMPLY BIG was able to quicken away from HANDSOME REBEL. He said after shifting to the outside of CALIFORNIA GUNGHO in the early part of the Straight, HANDSOME REBEL did not quicken and when MEGA HEART improved to the outside of HANDSOME REBEL after the 300 Metres, his mount got its head on the side and was inclined to lay in away from MEGA HEART. He added he balanced the horse and commenced to ride it out with the whip, however, HANDSOME REBEL finished off the race only fairly. Z Purton was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must ride his mounts with sufficient vigour so as to ensure that his riding is not open to query. A veterinary inspection of HANDSOME REBEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY TOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HANDSOME REBEL, MEGA HEART and SIMPLY BIG were sent for sampling.