18/02/2018  Shatin  Race 6

After being loaded into the barriers, ACE KING became fractious and reared. Then as the start was effected, ACE KING lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. MASSIVE POCKET began only fairly. DRAGON MASTER began awkwardly, got its head on the side on jumping and was awkwardly placed inside PEACE N PROSPERITY which shifted in marginally. CHAMPION PRIDE began awkwardly and then was bumped by MR LUMIERES which was taken out by MONEYMORE. Passing the 400 Metres, CHAMPION PRIDE was bumped by HAIR TRIGGER which shifted in to obtain clear running. Passing the 300 Metres, MONEY BOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASSIVE POCKET when initially disappointed for running between that horse and CIRCUIT KING which shifted out. MONEY BOY was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of MASSIVE POCKET for some distance before being shifted to the inside of that horse passing the 200 Metres into tight running between MASSIVE POCKET and CIRCUIT KING. In this incident, MONEY BOY and CIRCUIT KING made contact. Approaching the 100 Metres, FLYING LOVER was held up for clear running behind MONEY BOY. When awkwardly placed behind MONEY BOY, FLYING LOVER shifted in and inconvenienced CIRCUIT KING. When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo stated that he was asked to attempt to lead on BALTIC WHISPER from an inside barrier if the horse showed the same type of natural speed that it did at its first and only start when successful. He said he was also asked if BALTIC WHISPER did not have sufficient speed to cross runners to its outside, he should attempt to find cover on the horse before producing it into clear running at the 400 Metres to finish off its race. He said, despite being ridden along in the early stages, BALTIC WHISPER did not have sufficient speed to clear MR LUMIERES to its outside and therefore after the 900 Metres he ceased riding his mount along and steadied BALTIC WHISPER to obtain cover behind MR LUMIERES. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MASTER ALBERT, J Moreira stated that his mount travelled strongly in the early and middle stages on the lead. He said approaching the 400 Metres he commenced to ride his mount along in the expectation that it would finish off the race given how well it had travelled, however, MASTER ALBERT immediately came under heavy pressure and then, despite being fully tested, commenced to give ground after the 300 Metres. He added approaching the 200 Metres MASTER ALBERT shifted in abruptly and then, despite being ridden along, weakened noticeably over the latter stages of the race. He said as MASTER ALBERT travelled strongly in the early stages, he did recommend to connections that they consider removing blinkers from the horse in the hope that it would be able to travel such that it is able to finish off its races. A veterinary inspection of MASTER ALBERT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MASSIVE POCKET immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MASSIVE POCKET will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BALTIC WHISPER, MR LUMIERES and HAIR TRIGGER were sent for sampling.