10/02/2018  Shatin  Race 8

ROYAL MOJITO was slow to begin. From the outside barriers, RAGING BLITZKRIEG and MERRYGOWIN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. GOD OF DRAGON was also steadied on jumping to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, DARING FIT was slow to muster speed, subsequently travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. GO GO WIN lost its left hind plate after the 800 Metres. For some distance approaching and passing the 500 Metres, ENERGETIC CLASS was awkwardly placed behind GO GO WIN. ENERGETIC CLASS was then held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 150 Metres was bumped by GOD OF DRAGON which shifted out. RAGING BLITZKRIEG was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 300 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, MERRYGOWIN momentarily raced tight inside GOD OF DRAGON which shifted in when racing tight inside ENERGETIC CLASS. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that DYNAMIC EAGLE, which was only having its second race start in Hong Kong today, made the Home Turn awkwardly when ROYAL MOJITO, which was racing to its inside, shifted out to obtain clear running. He said he ensured that DYNAMIC EAGLE was properly balanced in the early part of the Straight whilst slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip in the right hand. He said he commenced using the whip on the horse near the 250 Metres and DYNAMIC EAGLE closed off the race well. A veterinary inspection of DARING FIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. APOLLO’S CHOICE and ROYAL MOJITO were sent for sampling.