01/03/2020  Shatin  Race 3

BULLETPROOF began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped PRETTY BAUHINIA which then raced in restricted room inside FAMILY LEADER which shifted in. PRETTY BAUHINIA was then steadied and shifted across behind runners. AMAZING CHOCOLATE shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of PERFECT PAIR which became unbalanced. From the outside barrier, WINSTON’S LAD was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1100 Metres, FOREVER SHARP shifted in away from STUNNING IMPACT. Also passing the 1100 Metres, FOREVER SHARP raced tight inside STUNNING IMPACT (N Callan) which shifted in. FOREVER SHARP was then steadied away from the heels of STUNNING IMPACT approaching the 1000 Metres when that horse shifted in when not properly clear. PERFECT PAIR, which was following FOREVER SHARP, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in BRIGHT KID being inconvenienced. N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. At the entrance to the Straight, BULLETPROOF was taken wider by LASTING FRIENDSHIP which was taken out by FOREVER SHARP which made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out. Passing the 300 Metres, SPEED FAY FAY got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly away from STUNNING IMPACT, resulting in FOREVER SHARP being hampered and having to shift out away from the heels of SPEED FAY FAY. LASTING FRIENDSHIP, which was racing outside FOREVER SHARP, was shifted out away from that horse, resulting in BULLETPROOF and WINSTON’S LAD being inconvenienced. After the race, Z Purton (PERFECT PAIR) reported that the circumstances of today’s race did not suit his mount. He said after being awkwardly placed behind FOREVER SHARP passing the 1000 Metres, PERFECT PAIR was then not able to improve its position after the 600 Metres as FOREVER SHARP was not taking him forward and at this time he was racing inside LASTING FRIENDSHIP. He said after racing tight outside SPEED FAY FAY near the 500 Metres, he was then disappointed for running outside that horse which improved quickly to be racing inside FOREVER SHARP. He said this resulted in PERFECT PAIR being a lot further back in the field rounding the Home Turn than had been intended. He added in the Straight PERFECT PAIR finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT PAIR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, A Badel (SUPER WINNER) stated that he was instructed to lead if possible. He said because of the anticipated moderate pace of the race, it was felt that SUPER WINNER would be able to obtain the lead in the early stages relatively easily and therefore he was asked not to push the horse too aggressively to obtain the lead. He said this was consistent with the manner in which he had been asked to ride the horse previously. He said SUPER WINNER began only fairly and then shortly after the start raced tight between STUNNING IMPACT and LASTING FRIENDSHIP. He said whereas in the past SUPER WINNER had shown early natural speed to take up a forward position, the horse today did not show the same level of speed and did not improve to take up a forward position as it had when ridden by him previously. He said he believed that he would have had to make a lot of use of SUPER WINNER in an endeavour to obtain the lead and therefore he attempted to obtain cover, however, when left racing wide, was able to improve his position when the pace slackened after the 900 Metres. He added however that SUPER WINNER continued to race wide and without cover until after the 600 Metres at which stage he was able to shift across to race one horse off the rail outside the leader GALAXY EMPEROR. A veterinary inspection of SO HAPPY immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, SO HAPPY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PERFECT PAIR, AMAZING CHOCOLATE and FAMILY LEADER were sent for sampling.