21/05/2017  Shatin  Race 8

MULTIMAX put its head down as the start was effected and lost ground. WINFIELD refused to jump with the field and lost a considerable amount of ground. WINFIELD was consequently detached from the field throughout the event. Before being allowed to race again, WINFIELD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. From wide barriers, RADIANT TREASURE and THE JUDGE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After passing the 1000 Metres, LOOK ERAS commenced to lay in and raced tight against MULTIMAX. At the 950 Metres, LOOK ERAS raced in restricted room between MULTIMAX and LUCKY GUY which initially shifted in of its own accord and then approaching the first turn near the 900 Metres was taken in marginally by COLCHESTER (W M Lai) which shifted in. As a consequence, LOOK ERAS had to be steadied and lost its position. W M Lai was advised that whilst there were a number of contributing factors to this incident, nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is fully clear when shifting ground in future. For some distance after the 900 Metres, LUCKY GUY raced ungenerously and got its head up when racing in restricted room between COLCHESTER and ARM RUNDA which shifted out slightly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FANTASTIC EIGHT which, when being steadied away from the heels of KING MORTAR, got its head up and shifted out abruptly across the heels of that horse. LOOK ERAS, which was racing behind LUCKY GUY, had to be steadied away from the heels of that horse near the 800 Metres. RADIANT TREASURE, which was following, also got its head up and shifted out abruptly. Approaching the 700 Metres, MULTIMAX commenced to race keenly and improved into tight running between ARM RUNDA and LUCKY GUY which resulted in MULTIMAX and LUCKY GUY racing tight for some distance. COLCHESTER, which raced wide and without cover, made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted ground. Soon after straightening, ARM RUNDA improved into tight running between KING MORTAR and FANTASTIC EIGHT. After leaving the 400 Metres, THE JUDGE, which was making ground on the rail, was steadied when momentarily placed in restricted room inside JADE THEATRE which shifted in before being corrected and directed back out. When placed under pressure approaching the 150 Metres, FANTASTIC EIGHT (K C Leung) shifted in, resulting in ARM RUNDA being tightened onto KING MORTAR. After FANTASTIC EIGHT was shifted back out to afford KING MORTAR and ARM RUNDA comfortable racing room, ARM RUNDA got its head on the side and lay in which resulted in KING MORTAR becoming unbalanced when crowded onto the running rail. K C Leung was advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledged that ARM RUNDA had exacerbated the incident by being inclined to lay in, nonetheless he should have reacted in a more timely manner to correct his mount. At the 150 Metres, THE JUDGE was severely hampered when crowded for room inside MULTIMAX (K C Ng) which hung in and away from LUCKY GUY which shifted in marginally. K C Ng was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that his mount was proving difficult to ride at this stage, in similar circumstances he must do all in his power to prevent his mount from causing interference to other runners. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY GUY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. ARM RUNDA and FANTASTIC EIGHT were sent for sampling.