01/12/2019  Shatin  Race 1

KING DRAGON began only fairly. CHATER KING shifted out at the start and bumped RICH AND LUCKY. LEAP OF FAITH was slow to begin, then shifted out and was checked away from the heels of KA YING EXCELLENT. Shortly after the start, LUCKY MISSILE and SKY DARCI bumped. From wide barriers, KA YING EXCELLENT, MOMENTUM HAPPY and U W BROTHER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. KING DRAGON travelled keenly passing the 1200 Metres. Passing the 1100 Metres, INVALUABLE was awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of LEAP OF FAITH which got its head on the side and lay in. In the early stages, CHATER KING travelled wide and without cover and making the turn near the 900 Metres commenced to lay out. CHATER KING then hung out after the 800 Metres, proved difficult to ride and subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of CHATER KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The racing manners and performance of CHATER KING were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHATER KING 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. When CHATER KING lay out, KELMIMI WINS was left racing wide and without cover near the 700 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, SKY DARCI was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GALA NIGHT when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Passing the 400 Metres, APOLAR WARRIOR was initially shifted out away from the heels of UNITED WE STAND after being disappointed for running to the inside of that horse. Approaching the 300 Metres, APOLAR WARRIOR was then directed to the inside of UNITED WE STAND and raced tight inside that horse passing the 300 Metres when improving into tight running. APOLAR WARRIOR then continued to race tight inside UNITED WE STAND until after the 200 Metres. Mr T P Yung, the trainer of MOMENTUM HAPPY, was advised that a warning would be placed on the horse which was reluctant to proceed to the barriers. Mr Yung was advised that should MOMENTUM HAPPY offend again, having regard that this was the second time that the horse had been reluctant to proceed to the Start, further action may be taken. When questioned, K C Leung (MOMENTUM HAPPY) stated that at the entrance to the Straight he shifted his mount out to improve into running which was available between KING DRAGON and GALA NIGHT. He said after the 400 Metres MOMENTUM HAPPY got its head on the side and lay out away from KING DRAGON and was reluctant to improve into running which remained available between those horses. He said, despite riding MOMENTUM HAPPY forward to improve into the run, the horse continued to be reluctant to proceed and continued to lay out towards the heels of GALA NIGHT. He said near the 300 Metres he stopped riding MOMENTUM HAPPY as he was aware that GALA NIGHT was being ridden out with the whip in the left hand and KING DRAGON at this time was shifting out to obtain clear running. He added this resulted in MOMENTUM HAPPY racing in restricted room between GALA NIGHT and KING DRAGON and not being able to be tested after the 300 Metres. He said as he felt that the gap between KING DRAGON and GALA NIGHT would close, he commenced to steady MOMENTUM HAPPY with a view to shifting the horse to the outside of GALA NIGHT as he was still inside the heels of that horse. He said passing the 250 Metres the gap between KING DRAGON and GALA NIGHT opened up somewhat and he again rode his mount to take advantage of the run, however, KING DRAGON shifted out which resulted in the run closing and him directing MOMENTUM HAPPY to the outside of GALA NIGHT to obtain clear running. LEAP OF FAITH, SKY DARCI and RICH AND LUCKY were sent for sampling. <2/12/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>CHATER KING, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. CHATER KING was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D J Whyte this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. As previously advised, CHATER KING 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 before being allowed to race again.