01/10/2019  Shatin  Race 6

DRAGON COMMANDER shifted out at the start and bumped SPLENDOUR AND GOLD which in turn shifted out and bumped JADE FORTUNE, resulting in HAPPY SEBRING being steadied away from the heels of JADE FORTUNE. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CHARITY GO failed to muster speed and was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. From wide barriers, MERRYGOWIN and CHEFANO were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Approaching the 1600 Metres, MERRYGOWIN got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of I DO. After the 1300 Metres, JADE FORTUNE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 400 Metres, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER ELEGANCE. CHEFANO was badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 300 Metres, after attempting to improve inside SICHUAN DAR, was steadied when that horse shifted in which resulted in CHEFANO being disappointed for running and shifting in and bumping SPLENDOUR AND GOLD which raced tight inside CHEFANO and close to the heels of MARZOUQ. This resulted in SPLENDOUR AND GOLD also being held up for clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. HAPPY SEBRING was held up for clear running from passing the 400 Metres until after the 300 Metres. Approaching the 300 Metres, CHARITY GO was shifted to the outside of MERRYGOWIN after being disappointed for running between that horse and I DO. DRAGON COMMANDER had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres. After the 100 Metres, MERRYGOWIN and CHEFANO raced tight as CHEFANO shifted to the outside of I DO to obtain clear running. After the race, M F Poon (VIGOR FAME) reported that his mount did not settle as well as he had hoped when PARTY TOGETHER was positioned to his outside. He said VIGOR FAME lay out after the 600 Metres and then was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight. He added that when giving ground in the Straight VIGOR FAME continued to lay out and proved difficult to ride. The performance of VIGOR FAME, which finished at the tail of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VIGOR FAME will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VIGOR FAME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. I DO, HAPPY SEBRING and SICHUAN DAR were sent for sampling.