09/05/2020  Shatin  Race 8

STYLING CITY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly and then was bumped by STRONGER which shifted out on jumping. MASSIVE POCKET began only fairly. When being ridden along in the early stages, TEAM SPIRIT was momentarily awkwardly placed between LOVING A BOOM and HONG KONG WIN which shifted out marginally near the 950 Metres. Near the 650 Metres, SEVEN HEAVENS was crowded for room between PRECIOUS EXPRESS which shifted out marginally and GENTLE BREEZE which got its head on the side and shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEED VISION. Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, SPEED VISION lay out. Near the 500 Metres, MASSIVE POCKET was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GENTLE BREEZE which was awkwardly placed between COUNTRY STAR and SPEED VISION which got its head on the side and lay out away from STRONGER. This resulted in COUNTRY STAR being awkwardly placed outside the heels of LOVING A BOOM. Passing the 150 Metres, MASSIVE POCKET was awkwardly placed behind BALTIC SUCCESS when being shifted to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, MASSIVE POCKET raced tight outside the heels of GENTLE BREEZE. Close to the finishing line, SEVEN HEAVENS was shifted in away from the heels of STRONGER. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LOVING A BOOM, C Schofield stated that his mount did not travel as strongly as anticipated in the early stages. He said he first became concerned that LOVING A BOOM was not going to finish off the race passing the 600 Metres as the horse came off the bridle at this stage. He said he rode LOVING A BOOM along passing the 500 Metres to have the horse improve its position, however, LOVING A BOOM did not respond to his riding and then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of LOVING BOOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BALTIC SUCCESS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. HONG KONG WIN and STRONGER were sent for sampling.