01/05/2022  Shatin  Race 6

GET THE MONIES began only fairly. KING’S TROOPER began very awkwardly, shifted out abruptly and made heavy contact with POLARIS WINNER, causing both horses to be hampered and lose ground. After this, KING’S TROOPER and POLARIS WINNER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, MEDIC ELITE was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1300 Metres, DIVINE ERA and AMAZING VICTORY bumped. When racing wide after the 1300 Metres, IRON KING was steadied to obtain cover and then made the Home Turn awkwardly. Near the 800 Metres, AMAZING VICTORY was left racing wide and without cover. When questioned, L Hewitson stated that it was intended for NATURAL GOLD to be ridden in a forward position in today’s race as it was at its last start when successful. He said after beginning well, he rode NATURAL GOLD along for some distance in the early stages, however, the horse did not show the same early speed as anticipated. He said as a number of horses were maintaining their forward positions closer to the rail, he believed that he would have been required to make considerable use of NATURAL GOLD to continue to try and obtain a forward position and it was likely that NATURAL GOLD would be left racing wide and without cover. Therefore he elected, passing the 1200 Metres, to obtain a position with cover in about midfield. He said after shifting across to race behind AMAZING VICTORY near the 900 Metres, he had to ride his mount along for some distance after this as NATURAL GOLD was reluctant to maintain its position behind that horse. He added that whilst NATURAL GOLD finished off the race satisfactorily in the Straight, the horse did not quicken as it had done previously for him which he could only attribute to today’s "Good to Yielding” track surface. After the race, A Hamelin stated that he was able to obtain a forward position on DIVINE ERA without having to make any use of his mount. He said DIVINE ERA came off the bridle passing the 600 Metres and then did not finish off the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of DIVINE ERA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of VOYAGE STAR immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea and a "roarer” which had previously been reported. MASSIVE ACTION and AMAZING VICTORY were sent for sampling.