28/05/2017  Shatin  Race 10

MOMENTUM LUCKY was crowded for room on jumping between PABLOSKY and TURF SPRINT which shifted out. In this incident, MOMENTUM LUCKY bumped the hindquarters of PABLOSKY which became unbalanced. LUCKY EVER began awkwardly. From wide barriers, LINE SEEKER, GOLD LAND and HIGH FIVE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 700 Metres, LUCKY EVER became badly unbalanced after shifting in towards the running rail of its own accord. HARRIER JET, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY EVER and bumped COUNTRY MELODY. LINE SEEKER (Apprentice M F Poon) had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres and near the 50 Metres Apprentice Poon’s whip became momentarily caught behind the saddle. Throughout the race, FLYING TOURBILLON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of SOUTHERN LEGEND, J Moreira stated that he was able to obtain a good position from barrier 1 and was able to follow PABLOSKY throughout the race. He said SOUTHERN LEGEND travelled well in the early and middle stages and rounding the Home Turn he shifted the horse out away from PABLOSKY to obtain clear running. He said after initially attempting to shift further to the outside of HAPPY METEOR, he directed SOUTHERN LEGEND back to the inside of that horse approaching the 300 Metres as a clear run had developed between HAPPY METEOR and PABLOSKY. He said, despite being ridden along, SOUTHERN LEGEND did not improve into the run as he had hoped it would and was only finishing off the race one-paced. He added as SOUTHERN LEGEND was not able to improve into the run between PABLOSKY and HAPPY METEOR, he had to momentarily stop riding SOUTHERN LEGEND passing the 200 Metres as a result of both horses shifting ground. He said, irrespective of this, SOUTHERN LEGEND was a beaten horse at this time and over the concluding stages the horse’s condition gave out and it finished off the race disappointingly. He said however that he is of the belief that SOUTHERN LEGEND will derive benefit for the race irrespective of the horse finishing back in the field today. A veterinary inspection of SOUTHERN LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PABLOSKY immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, PABLOSKY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SOUTHERN LEGEND, SHAMAL and FLYING TOURBILLON were sent for sampling.