11/04/2021  Shatin  Race 9

CHAMPION SUPREME stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, CHAMPION SUPREME will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. GOD OD DRAGON began only fairly and then was crowded for room between TASHIDELEK and RIGHT CHOICE which shifted out. BLASTOISE began awkwardly and lost ground. VINCY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. CINQUANTE CINQ was left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. ALPHA HEDGE was held up in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PAKISTAN FRIEND. ALPHA HEDGE then continued to have difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 100 Metres. CALIFORNIA TEN raced very greenly in the Straight and shifted ground on a number of occasions, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount. For the majority of the race, TASHIDELEK travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BELUGA, which was racing over 1800 Metres for the first time today, Z Purton stated that he was not given any specific instructions on how the horse should be ridden from a wide barrier. He said after BELUGA began well, he took hold of his mount with a view to obtaining cover as RIGHT CHOICE was being ridden along to the inside of BELUGA. He said approaching and passing the 1600 Metres BELUGA travelled keenly and it took him some time to be able to shift BELUGA to race behind RIGHT CHOICE. He said as he did this RIGHT CHOICE was able to improve its position closer to the rail which resulted in BELUGA being left racing wide and without cover as LOOKING GREAT and ALPHA HEDGE had maintained their positions to the inside of BELUGA. He said as BELUGA was continuing to travel keenly, he allowed the horse to improve its position forward of RIGHT CHOICE after the 1100 Metres to race outside PAKISTAN FRIEND. He said whilst BELUGA had travelled too strongly in the early stages, he was of the opinion that this did not explain the horse coming off the bridle after the 700 Metres. He added he attempted to hold BELUGA together rounding the Home Turn, however, as soon as he placed the horse under pressure near the 350 Metres, BELUGA did not respond to his riding and commenced to give ground. He said, despite being ridden along after this, BELUGA weakened and did not finish off the race. After the race, Mr D J Hall, the trainer of BELUGA, informed the Stewards that it is his intention to give the horse a let-up following its disappointing run. A veterinary inspection of BELUGA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BELUGA, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BELUGA 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 PAKISTAN FRIEND immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. LOOKING GREAT and CALIFORNIA TEN were sent for sampling.