22/10/2017  Shatin  Race 1

KIWI SUNRISE began awkwardly and shifted in abruptly on jumping, resulting in OCEAN ELITE being crowded for room outside TOURBILLON KING which shifted out. NICE FANDANGO began only fairly and was then crowded for room between LUNAR ZEPHYR and FISH N’ CHIPS which shifted out. XIANG HUANG QI began awkwardly. RAY’S CALL began only fairly. NICE FANDANGO lost its right front plate shortly after the start. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, CALIFORNIA ASPAR failed to muster speed. Approaching the 800 Metres, ROOKIE STAR, which was laying out, was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of OCEAN ELITE which shifted in away from the heels of TOURBILLON KING. For some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres, KIWI SUNRISE was held up when racing close to the heels of NICE FANDANGO. Near the 350 Metres, Z Purton (LUCKY TIME) momentarily dropped his right rein. Approaching the 200 Metres, HOT HOT PEPPER and OCEAN ELITE raced tight due to HOT HOT PEPPER being momentarily eased away from the heels of LUCKY TIME. W M Lai (KIWI SUNRISE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of OCEAN ELITE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 5 November 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 9 November 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Passing the 100 Metres, ROOKIE STAR got its head on the side and lay out. When questioned regarding the performance of LUNAR ZEPHYR, Apprentice H N Wong stated that his mount travelled strongly in the early and middle stages. He said LUNAR ZEPHYR came under pressure prior to the 400 Metres and initially responded well to his riding, however, commenced to give ground after the 300 Metres and then was particularly disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of LUNAR ZEPHYR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OCEAN ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY TIME and TOURBILLON KING were sent for sampling.