01/04/2012  Shatin  Race 6

SUNNY FAY was slow to begin. KEEN TACTICS was crowded for room shortly after the start between KEEN MARIE and HAPPY CERAMIBO which shifted in. From the outside barrier, HEARTLAND was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. M L Yeung (ELECTRONIC FORTUNE) reported his saddle shifted back shortly after the start. Near the 900 Metres, SUNNY FAY and KEEN MARIE bumped on a number of occasions and became unbalanced when crowded for room inside HAPPY CERAMIBO (G Mossé) which got its head on the side and shifted in away from SOLAR UP. G Mossé was advised that whilst HAPPY CERAMIBO, in the opinion of the Stewards, was racing greenly and he was taking some corrective measures to prevent his mount from shifting ground, nonetheless he must employ all available measures to avoid causing interference to other runners. Near the 700 Metres, SUNNY FAY and KEEN MARIE bumped due to ELECTRONIC FORTUNE shifting in momentarily. KEEN TACTICS, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Near the 500 Metres and again at the entrance to the Straight, SUNNY FAY shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KEEN MARIE. KEEN TACTICS had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the 400 Metres, LUCKY SCEPTER, which was giving ground, was crowded for room between ELECTRONIC FORTUNE which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SIMPLE and KEEN TACTICS which shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running between LUCKY SCEPTER and SOLAR UP. HEARTLAND was unable to obtain clear running until after the 200 Metres. In the Straight, SUNNY FAY got its head on the side and hung out. Throughout the race, LUCKY SCEPTER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KEEN MARIE, Z Purton stated that during the race his mount became unbalanced on a number of occasions when buffeted by either HAPPY CERAMIBO on its outside or SUNNY FAY which was hanging out to its inside. He said because of these incidents, in his opinion, KEEN MARIE was never balanced enough to be able to finish off today’s race and he felt that there were legitimate excuses for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of KEEN MARIE after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LUCKY SCEPTER had sustained a cut to the outside of the right hind cannon. KEEN MARIE, SIMPLE and GLORY HORSIE were sent for sampling.