28/05/2017  Shatin  Race 1

PLAY IT lost ground on jumping after beginning very awkwardly. From the outside barrier, BLAZING PASS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the Straight, LOTUS STRIKES BACK (Apprentice M F Poon) lay in under pressure. Close to the finishing line, Apprentice Poon became unbalanced in the saddle. When questioned, S Clipperton (VOLITATION) stated that after enjoying a good run behind the speed with cover throughout the race, he elected to shift out from behind GREEN DISPATCH approaching the 600 Metres as he felt that the race may develop into a sprint home and he did not want to be left flat-footed given that the two horses leading the race, namely JOLLY GENE and GREEN DISPATCH were the principal chances in the race. He added VOLITATION initially improved satisfactorily rounding the Home Turn, however, came under heavy pressure at the entrance to the Home Straight and then did not finish off the race. He said, given the manner in which VOLITATION weakened over the concluding stages, he felt that the distance of today’s race may have been too far for the horse. A veterinary inspection of BLAZING PASS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREEN DISPATCH and LOTUS STRIKES BACK were sent for sampling.