28/02/2018  Shatin  Race 1

WORLD CITY began only fairly. STARLIT KNIGHT and MASSIVE MILLENNIUM began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, RICHCITY FORTUNE was crowded for room between MASSIVE MILLENNIUM and HAPPY SOUND which shifted out. A short distance after this, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM momentarily raced in restricted room between RICHCITY FORTUNE and FANTASTIC FABIO. From the outside barrier, STARRY STARLIES was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, HELEN’S CHOICE was severely checked when crowded for room between VICTORY DUKE (C Schofield) which, when racing tight to the inside of FANTASTIC FABIO (N Callan), got its head on the side and hung out and inside FIVE STARS AGENT (O Doleuze) which shifted in. O Doleuze was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that VICTORY DUKE shifting out at this time played a significant role in this incident, nonetheless he was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. N Callan was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for the runners on his inside in similar circumstances. C Schofield stated that after losing ground at the 700 Metres, he rode his mount along, however, VICTORY DUKE came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then in the early part of the Straight got its head up and shortened stride noticeably. He said as he believed that there may have been something amiss with the horse, he eased it down over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY DUKE, which finished tailed out, immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. As this was the second occasion this season that VICTORY DUKE’s performance had been deemed unacceptable, that horse must undergo a series of satisfactory consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to being permitted to race again. Passing the 600 Metres, RAINBOW GOLD commenced to over-race and shifted out abruptly when being checked away from the heels of HELEN’S CHOICE, resulting in SUPREME STORM and STARLIT KNIGHT being severely hampered and forced wider. Passing the 500 Metres, VICTORY DUKE and HELEN’S CHOICE raced tight and bumped on two occasions. At the entrance to the Straight, MASSIVE MILLENNIUM was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FANTASTIC FABIO. A veterinary inspection of HELEN’S CHOICE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY SOUND, FIVE STARS AGENT and MASSIVE MILLENNIUM were sent for sampling.