03/11/2019  Shatin  Race 10

HAPPY FUN, which made contact with a rail on the way to the Start, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers and found to be suitable to race. EASY GO EASY WIN was slow to begin. HAPPY FUN shifted in at the start and bumped HELENE LEADINGSTAR. From wide barriers, NICCONI EXPRESS and WIND GLIDER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1400 Metres, NICCONI EXPRESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STAR PERFORMANCE. After the 1400 Metres, ENJOYING raced tight inside THE HULK. After this, THE HULK, when racing wide and without cover, was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. BAND OF BROTHERS was left racing wide and without cover near the 1000 Metres. Approaching the 900 Metres, ENJOYING and BAND OF BROTHERS raced tight. After the 800 Metres, STAR PERFORMANCE commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of ENJOYING. Passing the 400 Metres, ENJOYING momentarily raced tight inside BAND OF BROTHERS which shifted in. ENJOYING was then steadied and shifted to the outside of BAND OF BROTHERS when disappointed for running between that horse and HELENE LEADINGSTAR which shifted out. Passing the 300 Metres, DANCES WITH DRAGON was shifted to the outside of KING OPIE when unable to improve to that horse’s inside. After the 200 Metres, DANCES WITH DRAGON attempted to improve between STAR PERFORMANCE and THE HULK which shifted out marginally when under pressure. This resulted in DANCES WITH DRAGON being steadied when disappointed for running between THE HULK and STAR PERFORMANCE which itself raced tight inside HELENE LEADINGSTAR at this stage. After the race, G van Niekerk was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of KING OPIE. He said the horse travelled satisfactorily in a forward position as it had in the past, however, KING OPIE came under considerable pressure at the entrance to the Straight and then gave ground noticeably over the final 200 Metres. He said as KING OPIE was giving ground abruptly, he did not ride it out over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of KING OPIE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KING OPIE, which finished at the tail of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KING OPIE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of STAR PERFORMANCE and THE HULK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STAR PERFORMANCE, MORE THAN THIS and NICCONI EXPRESS were sent for sampling.