11/11/2017  Shatin  Race 5

UNIQUE JOYFUL shifted in at the start and bumped BOSSIEE. SINCERE HORSE, EIGHTY EIGHTY, LUCKY TIME and CLEAR CHOICE were all crowded for room shortly after the start as a result of SINCERE HORSE shifting in after being bumped by SPARKING DRAGON (S Clipperton) which shifted in at the start. In this incident, CLEAR CHOICE bumped ROOKIE STAR which in turn shifted in and hampered NOBLE STEED. Whilst there were some circumstances with this incident, S Clipperton was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to keep his mounts straight on leaving the barriers. Approaching the 1000 Metres, UNIQUE JOYFUL was momentarily crowded for room inside LUCKY TIME which shifted in when improving into a forward position. Passing the 1000 Metres, ROOKIE STAR shifted out and bumped CLEAR CHOICE. Approaching the 900 Metres, MONEY WINNER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOBLE STEED. Passing the 800 Metres, ROOKIE STAR got its head up when being checked away from the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL. Approaching the 600 Metres, LAUGH OUT LOUD commenced to travel keenly, shifted out and bumped LUCKY TIME when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPARKLING DRAGON. After this, LAUGH OUT LOUD continued to travel keenly and passing the 600 Metres was checked away from the heels of SPARKLING DRAGON. HEARTS KEEPER, which was following and also travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of LAUGH OUT LOUD in consequence, resulting in UNIQUE JOYFUL being crowded for room inside CLEAR CHOICE. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SPARKLING DRAGON had sustained a laceration to the right hind leg. After the 600 Metres, FANTASTIC FABIO was shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY TIME, resulting in EIGHTY EIGHTY being taken wider. At the entrance to the Straight, MONEY WINNER was bumped by NOBLE STEED which shifted out away from the heels of SINCERE HORSE after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. BOSSIEE was badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 250 Metres was severely checked away from the heels of FANTASTIC FABIO when continuing to be held up. BOSSIEE was then shifted to the outside of FANTASTIC FABIO after the 200 Metres to obtain clear running and near the 100 Metres was shifted further to the outside of HEARTS KEEPER after being disappointed for running between that horse and FANTASTIC FABIO. For the majority of the race, EIGHTY EIGHTY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon stated that, from a wide barrier, he was asked to ride LUCKY TIME in a forward position. He said the horse was only having its third race start today and was stepping back up in distance from the 1000 Metres to the 1200 Metres of today’s race. He said he was able to shift across runners in the early stages and obtain a position outside the leader and the eventual winner SPARKLING DRAGON near the 850 Metres. He said after this LUCKY TIME travelled comfortably, however, did not finish off the race as he expected. He added he felt that the early pressure to obtain a more forward position may have been a factor in the horse’s failure to close off the race. C Schofield stated that after being hampered in the early stages when crowded for room, ROOKIE STAR then travelled keenly which resulted in the horse having to be checked away from the heels of another runner after the 800 Metres. He said because of these incidents ROOKIE STAR, which was only having its second race start today, was not able to finish off the race as he believed that the horse had made too much use of itself in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of ROOKIE STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPARKLING DRAGON and EIGHTY EIGHTY were sent for sampling.