01/10/2020  Shatin  Race 4

PLANET FLYER began only fairly and then was crowded for room between CAN’T TOUCH THIS which shifted in and LUCKY PUZZLE which was taken out by EVERYONE’S DELIGHT which in turn was taken out by HARD PROMISE. This resulted in PLANET FLYER losing ground and EVERYONE’S DELIGHT and LUCKY PUZZLE becoming unbalanced. FLYING SPIRIT and EASY FIT bumped at the start. After this, from the outside barrier, FLYING SPIRIT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 800 Metres, LUCKY QUALITY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HARD PROMISE when travelling keenly. Near the 500 Metres, LUCKY PUZZLE shifted out and brushed CAN’T TOUCH THIS. Passing the 350 Metres, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT, which was held up for clear running, raced tight inside EASY FIT which shifted in marginally. This resulted in EVERYONE’S DELIGHT becoming unbalanced passing the 300 Metres. EASY FIT was then bumped by EVERYONE’S DELIGHT after the 300 Metres as that horse shifted to the outside of HERO STAR to obtain clear running. Then at the 200 Metres, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT and EASY FIT made further contact as a result of both horses shifting marginal ground which resulted in them becoming unbalanced. Passing the 250 Metres, LUCKY PUZZLE was bumped by FEARLESS FIRE which shifted out. Near the 150 Metres, LUCKY QUALITY momentarily raced in restricted room inside HARD PROMISE. Throughout the race, EASY FIT travelled wide and without cover. M F Poon (FLYING SPIRIT) was warned against the practice of using the whip unnecessarily on a horse which is not in contention for a minor placing. When questioned regarding his riding out of EASY FIT over the concluding stages, J Moreira stated that after becoming unbalanced on a number of occasions due to contact with EVERYONE’S DELIGHT, his mount would not regain balance and approaching and passing the 100 Metres commenced to shift in under pressure. He said he continued to ride EASY FIT along hands and heels over the concluding stages with more pressure on the outside rein due to EASY FIT, which was having its first race start, continuing to lay in and proving difficult to ride. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY PUZZLE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY PUZZLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EASY FIT, EVERYONE’S DELIGHT and HARD PROMISE were sent for sampling.