20/10/2019  Shatin  Race 6

MARQULA was withdrawn on 19.10.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter AEROFLASH (N Callan). Before being allowed to race again, MARQULA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. AEROFLASH began only fairly. CHEEKY BEE was crowded for room on jumping between SUNSHINE WARRIOR and GREAT HARVEST which shifted out. After this, CHEEKY BEE was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, EMERALD SPUR was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. At the 800 Metres, GREAT HARVEST got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly. At the 750 Metres, FALCON TURBO was awkwardly placed behind GOLDEN MISSION. Passing the 200 Metres, SUNSHINE WARRIOR and EMERALD SPUR raced tight. Near the 150 Metres, SPRINT FORWARD raced tight inside FALCON TURBO which was taken in by GOLDEN MISSION (C Schofield). After this, FALCON TURBO continued to race tight inside GOLDEN MISSION which shifted in under pressure and which resulted in FALCON TURBO being steadied passing the 100 Metres. SPRINT FORWARD, which was racing to the inside of FALCON TURBO, was inconvenienced in consequence. C Schofield was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more endeavour to prevent his mount from shifting ground than he did on this occasion. For the majority of the race, SUNSHINE WARRIOR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr K H Ting, the trainer of POLYMER LUCK, stated that he was disappointed with the manner in which the horse had been finishing off its races when ridden in a forward position over 1650 Metres and 1800 Metres. He said because of this he elected to drop POLYMER LUCK back in distance to 1400 Metres as the horse had previously closed off its race strongly to finish second when ridden back in the field over the course and distance prior to being transferred to his stable. He said as the horse was ridden from back in the field on that occasion over a shorter distance, today he instructed H N Wong to ride the horse in a similar manner in the hope that it would be able to finish off the race as it did on that occasion. He said POLYMER LUCK performed disappointingly today and did not finish off the race and accordingly it is now his intention to step the horse back up in distance and to have it ridden in a more prominent position. After the race, K C Leung stated that stepping up in distance today and being ridden in a more forward position than it had been when racing over 1200 Metres at its previous start, MOMENTUM HAPPY travelled keenly after the 1000 Metres when being steadied to obtain cover. He said MOMENTUM HAPPY consequently did not finish off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of MOMENTUM HAPPY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, J Moreira was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of HURRICANE HUNTER. He said the horse travelled satisfactorily when racing in the second half of the field as is usual, however, after being shifted to the outside of runners at the entrance to the Straight, HURRICANE HUNTER did not close off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of HURRICANE HUNTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FALCON TURBO, EMERALD SPUR and SUNSHINE WARRIOR were sent for sampling. <21/10/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that SEVENTY SEVENTY was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SEVENTY SEVENTY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.