19/04/2020  Shatin  Race 8

HANDSOME REBEL bounded as the start was effected and consequently lost ground. HAPPY FAMILY began awkwardly and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. MEGA HEART was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 700 Metres, CALIFORNIA ARGENT travelled keenly. When questioned, C Schofield (UTOPIA LIFE) stated that JUST NOT LISTENING, which was drawn outside UTOPIA LIFE, began extremely well and showed more early speed than UTOPIA LIFE. He said when being crossed by that horse shortly after the start, he observed ZERO HEDGE, which was racing to the outside of UTOPIA LIFE, being ridden along and as he anticipated that JUST NOT LISTENING would proceed to the rail, he did not want to be crossed by ZERO HEDGE and be caught behind that horse. He said therefore after the 1100 Metres he shifted out into a three wide position to ensure that he was able to maintain his position outside JUST NOT LISTENING which he anticipated would shift in to race on the rail and which would allow UTOPIA LIFE the opportunity to race in a one-off position outside that horse. He added however that JUST NOT LISTENING maintained its position one horse away from the rail which allowed CALIFORNIA ARGENT to maintain its position on the rail inside UTOPIA LIFE and HANDSOME REBEL to improve its position one horse off the rail which resulted in UTOPIA LIFE being left racing in a three wide position without cover. He said after the 800 Metres when it became apparent to him that JUST NOT LISTENING was going to remain racing one horse off the rail, he intended to shift in behind that horse rather than cover unnecessary ground, however, he became aware that both CALIFORNIA ARGENT and HANDSOME REBEL were occupying the positions inside UTOPIA LIFE which resulted in him having to race three wide and without cover throughout the race. When questioned, K C Leung (ZERO HEDGE) stated that in the early stages he was left racing wide and he attempted to ride ZERO HEDGE forward of UTOPIA LIFE to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said when ZERO HEDGE did not show sufficient speed to be able to improve forward of UTOPIA LIFE, he steadied his mount passing the 900 Metres to obtain cover behind UTOPIA LIFE, however, ZERO HEDGE proved very difficult to settle and he was not able to bring the horse back sufficiently to shift across behind UTOPIA LIFE. He added ZERO HEDGE continued to travel keenly and after being crossed by STAR LUCK after the 800 Metres was left racing very wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY FAMILY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of STAR LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of HANDSOME REBEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. UTOPIA LIFE, MEGA HEART and JUST NOT LISTENING were sent for sampling.