Enigmatic performer Pakistan Star pulls himself up at Sha Tin

'Character' is a term that often comes with a nod and a wink, acknowledging the fine line between the eccentric and erratic. Pakistan Star demonstrated that once more to racing fans on Sunday when the popular four-year-old showed his bad side in a Group 3 at Sha Tin.

Pakistan Star became a worldwide phenomenon on his debut when he seemed unable to go with the pace but rattled home to win readily.

He finished second in a Group 1 on his previous start in April, but on Sunday, as the 1-5 favourite for the Premier Plate, he broke slowly under Joao Moreira and pulled himself up after 100 yards.

After the field had gone furlongs ahead, Pakistan Star did raise a gallop again and finished a distant last of five.

"He wanted to stop," said Joao Moreira after weighing-in. "I urged him and tried hard to get him running but he just didn't want to go."

Moreira was called into an inquiry after the race. Steward Kim Kelly later described what the rider had reported, saying: "He continued to try to get the horse to race. Pakistan Star on two occasions began to race again but then continued to pull up.

"He said it was not until the rest of the field has made the home turn that he was able to get the horse to gallop again. He rode him out to the line, that was to make sure Pakistan Star, as far as possible, did not learn any bad habits."

Kelly also confirmed that a vet's examination of the horse post-race did not show any abnormalities.