18/02/2018  Shatin  Race 5

SUPER EURO STAR shifted in at the start, resulting in SPLIT OF A SECOND being crowded onto RAGING STORM which became unbalanced after being bumped by SPLIT OF A SECOND. From wide barriers, DESTIN and FORTUNE WAY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, LEISURED FEET was shifted across behind runners in the early stages and after travelling keenly for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres was then left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, SPLIT OF A SECOND got its head up when being shifted in behind RAGING STORM which shifted out. Near the 950 Metres, ALL YOU NEED got its head up when being checked away from the heels of MULTIMAX. After the 750 Metres, PLEASANT GUY was taken into a position wide and without cover by LUCKY TWINKLE STAR which shifted out to follow ALL YOU NEED which also raced wide and without cover throughout the race. Approaching and passing the 700 Metres, SPEEDY KING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MULTIMAX. Rounding the Home Turn, LEISURED FEET raced tight outside DESTIN which shifted out to obtain clear running. DESTIN was held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 300 Metres. After the 200 Metres, SPLIT OF A SECOND was somewhat reluctant to shift to the outside of SPEEDY KING to obtain clear running. After being shifted to the outside of SPEEDY KING, SPLIT OF A SECOND brushed HAVE FUN TOGETHER. Approaching the 100 Metres, PLEASANT GUY and LUCKY TWINKLE STAR were hampered by RAGING STORM (J Moreira) which shifted out when not quite clear. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. For some distance after the 100 Metres, SPLIT OF A SECOND got its head on the side and lay in behind SPEEDY KING when racing tight inside HAVE FUN TOGETHER. Over the concluding stages, FIRE AND GOLD raced tight between SPEEDY KING and ALL YOU NEED, both of which shifted a minimal amount of ground. As a consequence, FIRE AND GOLD was not able to be properly tested over the final 25 Metres. When questioned, J Moreira stated that RAGING STORM, which was having its first race start today, began satisfactorily, however, despite being hard ridden in the early stages, did not show any early speed and settled further back in the field than had been hoped. He said after the 1100 Metres he was racing outside HAVE FUN TOGETHER and as he was racing wide, he shifted RAGING STORM across to race behind that horse. He said when he did this RAGING STORM was reluctant to maintain its position and he had to ride his mount aggressively including slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip. He said in the middle stages RAGING STORM raced greenly and he had to continually ride his mount along. He said, despite being ridden along, RAGING STORM would not hold its position behind HAVE FUN TOGETHER which resulted in him racing towards the tail of the field passing the 800 Metres. He added passing the 600 Metres he felt he would have had to shift his mount considerably wider to the outside of horses and therefore he elected to try and improve inside runners rounding the Home Turn. He said passing the 550 Metres he attempted to improve between HAVE FUN TOGETHER and SPLIT OF A SECOND, however, his mount did not improve quickly enough to prevent SPLIT OF A SECOND from shifting out and taking the run that he had intended to obtain. He said RAGING STORM continued to race greenly and shifted ground on a number of occasions in the Straight. He said he was held up for clear running passing the 200 Metres and after being shifted to the outside of HAVE FUN TOGETHER passing the 150 Metres to obtain clear running RAGING STORM then closed off the race strongly. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY TWINKLE STAR and PLEASANT GUY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY TWINKLE STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RAGING STORM, SPEEDY KING and HAVE FUN TOGETHER were sent for sampling.