13/09/2020  Shatin  Race 6

GALLANT CROWN shifted in at the start and bumped BULLISH GLORY. BULLETPROOF shifted out at the start, resulting in PRESIDENT STAR being hampered when crowded for room. SONIC FIGHTER and ALL FOR ST PAUL’S made contact at the start. ALL FOR ST PAUL’S was then bumped shortly after the start by DREAM WARRIORS which was taken in by MIGHTY POWER. DREAM WARRIORS then became unbalanced when crowded for room between MIGHTY POWER and ALL FOR ST PAUL’S which shifted out after becoming unbalanced as a result of bumping with SONIC FIGHTER. After this, from the outside barrier, MIGHTY POWER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden for some distance in the early stages, KING’S RACE failed to muster speed and consequently raced further back in the field than was intended. Passing the 1200 Metres, KING’S RACE shifted out and inconvenienced PRESIDENT STAR and MY FAMILY. Approaching the 1000 Metres, MIGHTY POWER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MY FAMILY when being shifted in behind that horse to obtain cover. Near the 750 Metres, MY FAMILY was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 600 Metres, SONIC FIGHTER (Z Purton) was checked away from the heels of KING’S RACE after being awkwardly placed behind that horse when unable to improve inside KING’S RACE and when racing tight to the outside of SEAWEED FORTUNE which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GALLANT CROWN. After the race, Z Purton stated that whilst SONIC FIGHTER was somewhat disappointing, he believed that the horse would benefit from the race and would improve as a result of today’s race. A veterinary inspection of SONIC FIGHTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Passing the 300 Metres, MY FAMILY was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of LIGHT MY DAY when tightened for room between that horse and MIGHTY POWER which shifted ground when commencing to lay in. Passing the 200 Metres, SEAWEED FORTUNE shifted out and bumped LIGHT MY DAY, causing that horse to be crowded for room inside MIGHTY POWER. Passing the 100 Metres, LIGHT MY DAY was steadied when crowded for room between SEAWEED FORTUNE which shifted out marginally and MIGHTY POWER (C Schofield) which shifted in when continuing to lay in under pressure. In this incident, LIGHT MY DAY became unbalanced after being struck over the nose by the whip of C Schofield. C Schofield was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he has an obligation to ensure that he takes all available measures to prevent his mount from shifting ground. C Schofield explained that over the concluding stages MIGHTY POWER continued to lay in and as that horse was continuing to shift in towards the heels of SEAWEED FORTUNE, he stopped riding with the whip and rode his mount out hands and heels. He said then close to the finishing line MIGHTY POWER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SEAWEED FORTUNE. He said whilst he was not able to ride out MIGHTY POWER fully, he felt that he tested the horse as much as he was able in the circumstances. After viewing the videos, the Stewards accepted C Schofield’s explanation. A veterinary inspection of GALLANT CROWN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KING’S RACE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of DREAM WARRIORS immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, DREAM WARRIORS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MIGHTY POWER, SEAWEED FORTUNE and ALL FOR ST PAUL’S were sent for sampling.