31/05/2020  Shatin  Race 7

VICTORIOUS SEEKER was withdrawn on 30.5.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, VICTORIOUS SEEKER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KUNGFUMASTER PANDA began awkwardly and then shortly after the start lost ground when crowded for room between CROWN AVENUE and GOOD DAYS which shifted out after making contact with NATURAL STORM. MCMUNIGAL began awkwardly and then, despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, was slow to muster speed. From wide barriers, HAPPY ROCKY and BULLISH GLORY were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CROWN AVENUE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of NATURAL STORM and then passing the 1800 Metres got its head up when awkwardly placed behind GIANT TURTLE. After the 1600 Metres, CROWN AVENUE was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, NATURAL STORM shifted out and bumped BULLISH GLORY. Approaching the 100 Metres, CROWN AVENUE was momentarily crowded for room between GIANT TURTLE and MCMUNIGAL (J Moreira) which shifted in away from BULLISH GLORY which also shifted in as K Teetan, the rider of that horse, experienced difficulty in changing the whip over into his right hand. J Moreira was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. When questioned, B Shinn stated that the instructions he was provided today were consistent to those that he was previously provided in that he was told if JIMMU again began well and was able to obtain a forward position, then the horse should be ridden accordingly, otherwise if the horse did not begin well, to ride it more quietly. He said at its last two starts he rode JIMMU positively out of the barriers, however, the horse had been left racing wide in the early stages and therefore he elected to shift it across behind runners rather than make too much use of JIMMU to clear runners to his inside. He said in today’s race JIMMU began better than CROWN AVENUE on its inside and he was able to cross the inside horses easily and obtain a trailing position behind GIANT TURTLE after the 1600 Metres. He said JIMMU travelled only satisfactorily in the middle stages and came under heavy pressure near the 600 Metres to maintain its position. He added JIMMU was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of JIMMU immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a minor laceration to the right hock. A veterinary inspection of GALA NIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MCMUNIGAL, BULLISH GLORY and GOOD DAYS were sent for sampling.