01/07/2019  Shatin  Race 9

MARZOUQ was crowded for room on jumping between CHAMPION SUPREME and DRAGON COMMANDER, both of which shifted ground. In this incident, all three horses became unbalanced. NEW ELEGANCE stood flat-footed as the start was effected and then on leaving the barrier stalls became unbalanced. This resulted in NEW ELEGANCE losing a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, NEW ELEGANCE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. From a wide barrier, OWNERS’ STAR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the winning post on the first occasion, GLORIOUS DRAGON and CHAMPION SUPREME were crowded for room inside MARZOUQ which was racing tight inside GRAND CHANCELLOR as that horse was steadied to avoid the heels of I DO (K C Leung) which shifted in when not quite clear. After being crossed by I DO, GRAND CHANCELLOR then raced tight inside CLASSIC BEAUTY which shifted in to take up the room which had previously been made available by GRAND CHANCELLOR being taken in by I DO. This resulted in MARZOUQ being taken in further and causing both CHAMPION SUPREME and GLORIOUS DRAGON to be checked when crowded for room. In the circumstances, K C Leung was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 1700 Metres, GENERAL SHERMAN got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of CHAMPION SUPREME. After the 1700 Metres, GRAND CHANCELLOR proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover behind ROCKETEER. Passing the 1200 Metres, GLORIOUS DRAGON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHAMPION SUPREME. After this, GLORIOUS DRAGON travelled keenly and near the 900 Metres was again steadied away from the heels of CHAMPION SUPREME. Passing the 400 Metres, GRAND CHANCELLOR shifted in and raced tight outside CHAMPION SUPREME. CHAMPION SUPREME and GRAND CHANCELLOR then raced tight for some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres. LOBO’S LEGEND had some difficulty obtaining clear running from passing the 300 Metres until approaching the 200 Metres. After the 300 Metres, NEW ELEGANCE was steadied and shifted to the outside of GENERAL SHERMAN after being disappointed for running between that horse and HO HO FEEL. Passing the 200 Metres, ROCKETEER, which was giving ground, momentarily raced in restricted room between CHAMPION SUPREME and LOBO’S LEGEND which was racing tight outside DRAGON COMMANDER. In the Straight, GLORIOUS DRAGON lay in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to change his whip over into his right hand after the 300 Metres. GLORIOUS DRAGON continued to lay in under pressure and was corrected by its rider near the 150 Metres. GLORIOUS DRAGON again lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Throughout the race, GRAND CHANCELLOR travelled wide and without cover. After the race, M F Poon stated that the crossed nose band applied to HO HO FEEL came loose shortly after the start. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHAMPION SUPREME, C Y Ho stated that after being crowded for room in the early stages, his mount travelled well in the middle stages, however, came under pressure after the 600 Metres. He said he had noted that in a number of its previous races CHAMPION SUPREME had quickened well, however, today the horse stayed on only fairly in the early part of the Straight before finishing off the race one-paced. A veterinary inspection of CHAMPION SUPREME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GRAND CHANCELLOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CLASSIC BEAUTY and I DO were sent for sampling.