04/11/2018  Shatin  Race 4

SAVVY SEVEN shifted out at the start and bumped JIN JIN KING. Shortly after the start, EVER LAUGH shifted out and bumped HINYUEN SWIFTNESS. From wide barriers, AFTER ME and ABSOLUCOOL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1400 Metres, EVER LAUGH commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of JIN JIN KING. LET US WIN, which was racing to the inside of EVER LAUGH, was inconvenienced and steadied in consequence. RED HORSE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres raced tight inside JIN JIN KING which got its head on the side and shifted in marginally under pressure. RED HORSE again raced tight inside JIN JIN KING passing the 150 Metres. Throughout the race, MY WINNER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of RIGHTEOUS MATE, G van Niekerk stated that the horse began only fairly which it had done in the past. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages to make up ground and after this RIGHTEOUS MATE travelled only fairly. He said he shifted RIGHTEOUS MATE to the outside of SAVVY SEVEN after the 1100 Metres to obtain a position closer to the leaders and always had cover behind MY WINNER. He added RIGHTEOUS MATE did not appear to travel comfortably and when placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn did not quicken. He said this allowed the eventual winner LET US WIN to improve its position inside of RIGHTEOUS MATE at the entrance to the Straight. He added after this RIGHTEOUS MATE was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of RIGHTEOUS MATE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHTEOUS MATE, LET US WIN and EVER LAUGH were sent for sampling.