01/12/2019  Shatin  Race 6

GRACIOUS RYDER was withdrawn on 29.11.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY HAPPY STAR (M F Poon). Before being allowed to race again, GRACIOUS RYDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary examination of AURORA STAR, which became fractious when proceeding to the saddling area and momentarily got down, found that horse to be suitable to race. When proceeding to the barriers, N Callan was dislodged from SUPREME PATROL without incident. SUPREME PATROL was quickly recaptured and on arrival at the Start was found to be suitable to race by the Veterinary Officer. SHIMMER AND SHINE began awkwardly and lost ground. STRATHCLYDE shifted out at the start and bumped SUPREME PATROL. STRATHCLYDE then became unbalanced after being bumped by BREEZE OF SPRING which shifted out. When questioned, S de Sousa stated that it was intended for STRATHCLYDE to be ridden in a prominent position. He said after being bumped at the start, he rode his mount along for some distance, however, STRATHCLYDE did not show any early speed. He said, despite being ridden positively in the early stages and particularly passing the 1000 Metres, STRATHCLYDE did not respond to his riding and was unable to take up a forward position and consequently raced much further back in the field than had been intended. He added when racing back in the field, STRATHCLYDE did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race and in the Straight did not quicken and was very disappointing. A veterinary inspection of STRATHCLYDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY HAPPY STAR lost its right front plate at the start. Making the first turn near the 700 Metres, ZERO HEDGE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SHIMMER AND SHINE. Throughout the race, HAPPY HAPPY STAR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Shinn stated that it was intended for ZERO HEDGE, from the outside barrier, to be ridden in a forward position. He said ZERO HEDGE, which got its head down in the barriers prior to the start, began very awkwardly and lost ground and therefore he was obliged to ride the horse from the rear of the field. A veterinary inspection of SHIMMER AND SHINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FORTUNE HAPPINESS and STAR SUPERIOR were sent for sampling.