29/03/2020  Shatin  Race 10

DUKE WAI lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently lost ground. WATER DIVINER began only fairly. CALIFORNIA WHIP shifted out at the start, resulting in HONG KONG BET being inconvenienced and taken out onto SPEEDY KING which was checked away from the heels of HONG KONG BET. MISSION TYCOON lost its left front plate approaching the 300 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, COMPUTER PATCH shifted in and made contact with DUKE WAI which then got its head on the side and shifted in to be momentarily awkwardly placed near the heels of SPEED VISION which was giving ground. After passing the 50 Metres, GUNNISON was steadied when crowded for room inside PERFECT MATCH which was taken in by WATER DIVINER (C Y Ho). C Y Ho was severely reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. CALIFORNIA WHIP, which was racing to the inside of GUNNISON, was not able to be ridden out over the concluding stages when awkwardly placed outside the heels of HONG KONG BET. When questioned, Z Purton stated that although PERFECT MATCH was drawn awkwardly, the intention was to ride the horse in a positive manner in an endeavour to take up a forward position as is customary. He said however that as the start was effected PERFECT MATCH began awkwardly and then lost further ground when GRACEANDMERCY shifted out to its inside. He said with a number of runners to his inside all taking up prominent positions very quickly, this forced him to find cover back in the field. He said although obliged to race three wide throughout the event, PERFECT MATCH had cover at all times and when shifted to the outside of GUNNISON early in the Straight and placed under pressure, PERFECT MATCH responded only fairly and was slightly disappointing. He said the only excuse he could offer was that PERFECT MATCH was not suited by being ridden back in the field. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT MATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that at its last start when successful COMPUTER PATCH was given time to settle and closed off the race strongly to win. He said whilst the horse may have settled a little further back in the field than was anticipated today, he was asked to ride it conservatively so that it could finish off in a similar manner to that of its last start. He said COMPUTER PATCH again closed off strongly today when ridden in this manner. After the race, H W Lai reported that SPEEDY KING did not show its customary early speed and did not stretch out comfortably during the event. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GUNNISON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPEED VISION immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small cut to the left front pastern. PERFECT MATCH, SHINING ACE and COMPUTER PATCH were sent for sampling.