15/05/2022  Shatin  Race 9

SECRET VISION, which was leaning on the inside of its gate as the start was effected, began awkwardly and lost ground. NOWITZKI shifted in at the start and bumped THE HULK. From a wide barrier, EZRA was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, THE HULK was crowded for room between SEATTLE CHOICE which shifted out away from the heels of GOLDEN LINK and NOWITZKI (H T Mo) which shifted in when not properly clear. H T Mo was reprimanded and told to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. When being steadied to obtain cover behind MASTER HERO after the 1100 Metres, SAUVESTRE was very awkwardly placed outside that horse which shifted out. GOLDEN LINK, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. After the 1000 Metres, THE HULK and SECRET VISION bumped. After the 900 Metres, SEATTLE CHOICE was left racing wide and without cover. SEATTLE CHOICE was then taken wider again passing the 700 Metres when SAUVESTRE shifted to the outside of KEEFY and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of SEATTLE CHOICE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SEATTLE CHOICE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SEATTLE CHOICE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. At the entrance to the Straight, GOLDEN LINK got its head up when being shifted to the outside of SAUVESTRE and approaching the 200 Metres was awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse which shifted out under pressure. After the race, L Hewitson (SUPER TEN) stated that after beginning only fairly, he had to ride his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a forward position. He said despite being ridden along SUPER TEN did not show early speed and because of this raced further back in the field than had been anticipated. He said SUPER TEN did not travel comfortably at any stage on today’s surface and after coming under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of SUPER TEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, L Ferraris stated that he had to ride MASTER HERO along in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said after the 1300 Metres MASTER HERO improved to be racing outside the lead and travelled comfortably in the early stages. He said after the 1000 Metres he shifted across to race on the rail in the lead and MASTER HERO continued to travel well. He said however that after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn MASTER HERO gave him only a limited response in the early part of the Straight and then weakened out of the race over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of MASTER HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SETANTA, ESCAPE ROUTE and KEEFY were sent for sampling.