01/03/2017  Shatin  Race 1

FAITHFUL BOY shifted in at the start, resulting in BEST REWARD being hampered and then, despite being hard ridden along in the early stages, was slow to muster speed. FAITHFUL BOY subsequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight gave ground. HOLY UNICORN began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, DIGITAL PIONEER and LOYAL CRAFTSMAN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, GENTLEMEN was steadied away from the heels of VIVACIOUS WINNER (J Moreira) which shifted in when not quite clear. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, when being ridden along to obtain a forward position, COMMANDANT got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in GENTLEMEN being momentarily crowded for room outside SEVEN LUCK. Passing the 1300 Metres, ATOMIC BLAST was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY SEBRING. COMMANDANT travelled wide and without cover until after the 1100 Metres. Passing the 500 Metres, SEVEN LUCK momentarily raced in restricted room between MIZZEN GREY and SWEET BEAN which shifted to the outside of ATOMIC BLAST to improve its position. Rounding the Home Turn, THIS IS GLADIATOR and BEST REWARD raced tight. At the entrance to the Straight, ATOMIC BLAST was checked when disappointed for running between GENTLEMEN and COMMANDANT which shifted out marginally. In this incident, GENTLEMEN became badly unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by ATOMIC BLAST. For some distance after this, ATOMIC BLAST had difficulty obtaining clear running and approaching the 200 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of VIVACIOUS WINNER which was commencing to give ground. Then passing the 200 Metres, ATOMIC BLAST was directed in away from the heels of LUCKY SEBRING to continue improving. Shortly after entering the Straight, THIS IS GLADIATOR was crowded for room between BEST REWARD and FAITHFUL BOY, both of which shifted minimal ground. MIZZEN GREY, which was following FAITHFUL BOY, was held up for clear running in consequence. SWEET BEAN was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 150 Metres, COMMANDANT, which was giving ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of GENTLEMEN. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was unable to offer an explanation for the disappointing performance of VIVACIOUS WINNER. He said although he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position, nonetheless VIVACIOUS WINNER travelled quite well in the early and middle stages. He said he placed the horse under pressure rounding the Home Turn and it initially responded to his riding, however, VIVACIOUS WINNER came under heavy pressure after the 300 Metres and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of VIVACIOUS WINNER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, VIVACIOUS WINNER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FAITHFUL BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VIVACIOUS WINNER, BEST REWARD and SWEET BEAN were sent for sampling.