02/02/2020  Shatin  Race 4

CIRCUIT HASSLER (J Moreira) began awkwardly and after travelling a short distance was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After the race, J Moreira stated that it was intended for CIRCUIT HASSLER to be ridden in a forward position, however, when the horse did not begin well, this resulted in CIRCUIT HASSLER racing much further back in the field than had been intended. AMAZING CHOCOLATE was crowded for room on jumping inside JOYFUL HEART which shifted in. AMAZING CHOCOLATE was then shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. JOY MASTER began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, BEST FOR YOU and HERE COMES TED were also steadied in the early stages. MARQULA shifted out at the start and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CASIMIRO. Passing the 1000 Metres, CIRCUIT HASSLER was steadied away from the heels of SPEEDY DRAGON which was taken in by BEST FOR YOU which shifted in away from the heels of JOYFUL HEART. Passing the 600 Metres, BEST FOR YOU was taken wider by SPEEDY DRAGON which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, ADONIS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HINYUEN SWIFTNESS. Passing the 300 Metres, Z Purton (JOYFUL HEART) dropped his whip. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that after being ridden to lead as instructed in the early stages, VIVA COUNCIL commenced to lay out making the turn after the 900 Metres. He said he attempted to ensure that VIVA COUNCIL did not continue to shift out whilst also trying to rate the horse in the lead. He said due to his efforts to have VIVA COUNCIL race as tractably as possible, this resulted in the tempo of the race after the 800 Metres being run quicker than he had hoped. A veterinary inspection of MARQULA immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, MARQULA will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOYFUL HEART and CASIMIRO were sent for sampling.