27/12/2021  Shatin  Race 4

BELLA BABY was withdrawn on 24.12.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fractious when being transported from the Conghua Racecourse to Hong Kong) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SCIENCE PATCH (V Borges). Before being allowed to race again, BELLA BABY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN shifted out at the start and bumped ABOVE ALL. E BROTHER began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of UNTOLD RICHES which shifted out shortly after the start. This resulted in E BROTHER losing ground. COUNTRY BOY shifted in at the start and bumped SCIENCE PATCH. COUNTRY BOY was then steadied to obtain cover. From wide barriers, GOLDEN EMPIRE, ALL RICHES and HANDSOME VEGGIE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, ICE LEGEND failed to muster speed. Near the 950 Metres, PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN, which was proving difficult to settle, was momentarily crowded for room inside UNTOLD RICHES (M L Yeung) which shifted in before being directed out abruptly to relieve the tightening to PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN. M L Yeung was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that the racing manners of PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN had played a significant part in this incident, nonetheless he was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the 800 Metres, AMIGOS GIGGLE was left racing wide and without cover. In the early part of the Straight, STREET SCREAM got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 200 Metres, HANDSOME VEGGIE was shifted in away from the heels of SIXTH GENERATION which shifted in. Approaching and passing the 50 Metres, AMIGOS GIGGLE raced tight outside EN POINTE which shifted out. Over the latter stages, GOLDEN EMPIRE lay in under pressure. Over the concluding stages, HANDSOME VEGGIE raced tight inside SIXTH GENERATION when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN. Close to the finishing line, EN POINTE was shifted out away from the heels of COUNTRY BOY and in doing so brushed AMIGOS GIGGLE. For the majority of the race, STREET SCREAM travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C L Chau (PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN) stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position and if no other horse was intent on leading, he should take up the running. He said however that if another horse was showing more early speed than PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN, he should obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount positively in the early stages and when he observed UNTOLD RICHES being able to obtain a forward position without being ridden along, he elected to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He said as he was steadying PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN to obtain cover, the horse commenced travel keenly and would not relax. He added after UNTOLD RICHES cleared PRETTY QUEEN PRAWN passing the 800 Metres, his mount continued to travel keenly and proved very difficult to settle. A veterinary inspection of STREET SCREAM and ICE LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EN POINTE, UNTOLD RICHES and COUNTRY BOY were sent for sampling.