27/06/2020  Shatin  Race 6

SPLENDID TIMING was withdrawn on 26.6.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CARE FREE PRINCE (Apprentice K H Chan). Before being allowed to race again, SPLENDID TIMING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MY WINNER was slow to begin. APEX TOP shifted in at the start and bumped CARE FREE PRINCE which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, SEIZE THE SPIRIT, AMBITIOUS HEART and SWOT TROOPERS WIND were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, SPEED FAY FAY failed to muster speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. When being ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, WAYFOONG STAR raced greenly, got its head up and shifted ground on a number of occasions. WAYFOONG STAR then travelled keenly for some distance after the 1200 Metres. Passing the 1100 Metres, WAYFOONG STAR, which continued to race greenly, shifted out and bumped NUNCHUKS. WAYFOONG STAR then raced ungenerously and passing the 700 Metres was reluctant to hold its position, got its head on the side and was checked away from the heels of SPEED FAY FAY, resulting in WAYFOONG STAR losing ground abruptly. NUNCHUKS, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WAYFOONG STAR in consequence. WAYFOONG STAR subsequently gave ground and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of WAYFOONG STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The racing manners and performance of WAYFOONG STAR, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WAYFOONG STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NUNCHUKS got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover after the 1300 Metres. After being directed to the outside of runners passing the 200 Metres when finishing off the race well, SEIZE THE SPIRIT was then shifted in away from the heels of SACRED TIMING approaching the 100 Metres to improve between that horse and SPEED FAY FAY. SEIZE THE SPIRIT was then steadied when disappointed for running between SACRED TIMING which shifted in and SPEED FAY FAY which was taken out by ARMOR STAR. This resulted in SEIZE THE SPIRIT being held up for clear running over the concluding stages and consequently not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, ARMOR STAR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of SMART CHARADE in the Straight, V Borges stated that he shifted his mount out in the early part of the Straight in order to obtain clear running between ARMOR STAR and SPEED FAY FAY which throughout the race had travelled wide. He said approaching the 300 Metres as he directed SMART CHARADE to the outside of ARMOR STAR, SMART CHARADE was checked when disappointed for running between SPEED FAY FAY and ARMOR STAR which shifted out. He said he immediately shifted SMART CHARADE back to the inside of ARMOR STAR and commenced to ride his mount along and after again having difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 200 Metres was directed to the outside of APEX TOP after the 150 Metres to improve into clear running between that horse and ARMOR STAR. He said after obtaining clear running passing the 100 Metres he then rode his mount out to the end of the race. V Borges was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had been badly held up when disappointed for running approaching the 300 Metres and that shifting his mount to the inside of ARMOR STAR to obtain clear running had been the only course of action available to him, nonetheless he should have been more proactive in shifting SMART CHARADE to the outside of APEX TOP to improve into available running between that horse and ARMOR STAR sooner than he did and that his riding over the final 100 Metres had come under notice. He was told that he must ride his mounts with sufficient vigour and purpose to ensure that they are able to finish off the race as best as they are able and that his riding is not open to query. After the race, Apprentice K H Chan explained that CARE FREE PRINCE was able to obtain the lead in the early stages and then was able to dictate the race which is its preferred way of running. He said after travelling well in the early and middle stages CARE FREE PRINCE came under pressure at the entrance to the Straight when CIRCUIT HASSLER was ridden along to its outside. He said CARE FREE PRINCE did not quicken as it had for him previously and then commenced to give ground near the 200 Metres. He added the manner in which CARE FREE PRINCE gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages was particularly disappointing. He said when pulled up after the race, CARE FREE PRINCE became unbalanced in its action on a number of occasions which he raised with the Veterinary Officer. A veterinary inspection of CARE FREE PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CARE FREE PRINCE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CARE FREE PRINCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of AMBITIOUS HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEZA BEAUTY and CIRCUIT HASSLER were sent for sampling.