07/05/2017  Shatin  Race 2

ENSURING was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, ENORMOUS HONOUR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. At the 1800 Metres, RAZOR QUEST proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of UP AND COMING. Then after the 1800 Metres, RAZOR QUEST, which continued to prove very difficult to settle, shifted out away from the heels of UP AND COMING, resulting in SHARP SAILOR momentarily racing tight between RAZOR QUEST and GREEN DISPATCH. RAZOR QUEST continued to prove difficult to settle and near the 1700 Metres again got its head up when racing in restricted room between UP AND COMING and GREEN DISPATCH. In this incident, RAZOR QUEST lost ground, resulting in SHARP SAILOR being shifted out away from the heels of that horse. SHARP SAILOR was consequently left racing wide and without cover and was allowed to improve its position around RAZOR QUEST to obtain cover passing the 1200 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of HAPPY ROCKY approaching and rounding the Home Turn, K C Leung stated that passing the 500 Metres he was positioned behind and to the inside of SHARP SAILOR. He said at this time SHARP SAILOR came under pressure and he remained racing to the inside of that horse with a view to following GREEN DISPATCH into the Straight in the event that SHARP SAILOR commenced to give ground. He said at the entrance to the Straight UP AND COMING, which was racing on the rail, came away from the rail to follow GREEN DISPATCH and as SHARP SAILOR was continuing to hold its position, he steadied HAPPY ROCKY and directed it away from the heels of SHARP SAILOR to obtain a run between that horse and RAZOR QUEST. A veterinary inspection of RAZOR QUEST and UP AND COMING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JOLLY GENE and ENSURING were sent for sampling.