01/10/2019  Shatin  Race 10

DAN CONTROL began very awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CALIFORNIA WHIP which simultaneously was bumped by SPEED VISION which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. This resulted in DAN CONTROL being checked when crowded for room between PERFECT GLORY and CALIFORNIA WHIP which also shifted in despite its rider attempting to straighten the horse. AETHERO began only fairly and then became badly unbalanced and lost ground when crowded for room between BEAUTY RUSH and BALTIC WHISPER which was taken out by TEAM SPIRIT. In this incident, BEAUTY RUSH also became badly unbalanced after being bumped heavily by AETHERO and shifted out, inconveniencing SUPER TURBO. After travelling a short distance, AETHERO was then checked away from the heels of BALTIC WHISPER (H W Lai) which shifted out. In this incident, AETHERO clipped the heels of BALTIC WHISPER and became unbalanced. H W Lai was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that BALTIC WHISPER had initially been taken out by TEAM SPIRIT and then was inclined to lay out in the early stages, in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. From a wide barrier, PERFECT GLORY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1000 Metres, BEAUTY RUSH momentarily raced tight inside HIGH FIVE which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Approaching and passing the 900 Metres, BEAUTY RUSH was awkwardly placed outside the heels of AETHERO which got its head up on a number of occasions when proving very difficult to settle. This resulted in BEAUTY RUSH making the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly after being shifted out away from the heels of AETHERO. Approaching the 500 Metres, AETHERO shifted out away from the heels of CALIFORNIA ARCHER and bumped the hindquarters of HIGH FIVE. At the entrance to the Straight, AETHERO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CALIFORNIA ARCHER which got its head on the side and shifted out away from FAT TURTLE. Approaching the 300 Metres, RAGING STORM was disappointed for running between SUPER TURBO and RAGING BLITZKRIEG which shifted to the inside of SPEED VISION. RAGING STORM was then checked away from the heels of RAGING BLITZKRIEG after the 300 Metres and was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 150 Metres. Near the 300 Metres, SPEED VISION got its head on the side and shifted in away from FAT TURTLE and inconvenienced RAGING BLITZKRIEG. Passing the 200 Metres, CALIFORNIA ARCHER was shifted out away from the heels of BALTIC WHISPER which shifted in. When attempting to improve to the outside of BALTIC WHISPER, CALIFORNIA ARCHER was then held up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse as BALTIC WHISPER shifted out approaching the 100 Metres. In this incident, CALIFORNIA ARCHER shifted in away from the heels of BALTIC WHISPER and bumped RAGING STORM. Over the concluding stages, CALIFORNIA ARCHER was then held up behind BALTIC WHISPER and consequently was not able to be ridden out. H W Lai was reprimanded and told that in future he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. SUPER TURBO had difficulty obtaining clear running after the 200 Metres. At the 150 Metres, DAN CONTROL momentarily raced tight inside PERFECT GLORY which shifted in. When questioned, Z Purton stated that it was intended for AETHERO to be ridden with cover if possible as there were a number of runners engaged in this race which had previously shown good speed and been ridden in a forward position. He said after striking trouble at the start he attempted to steady AETHERO to allow HIGH FIVE to cross after the 1000 Metres to provide his mount with cover, however, AETHERO proved very difficult to settle, got its head up on a number of occasions and would not relax. He said after obtaining cover behind CALIFORNIA ARCHER near the 800 Metres, AETHERO continued to travel keenly when racing further back in the field than had been intended. He added although AETHERO encountered a number of incidents in the early and middle stages, he was somewhat disappointed with the manner in which the horse finished off the race after obtaining clear running at the 400 Metres. A veterinary inspection of AETHERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. AETHERO, FAT TURTLE and CALIFORNIA WHIP were sent for sampling.