21/02/2015  Shatin  Race 6

SECRET WEAPON began only fairly. From a wide barrier, PEARL WIN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SHINING CHAMPION failed to muster speed. Near the 1000 Metres, SHARP HUNTER got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. At the 1000 Metres, KING OF MONGOLIA and THE PRINCE were hampered when crowded for room inside KYNAM (K C Leung) which shifted in. K C Leung was reprimanded. After this, THE PRINCE commenced to prove difficult to settle and was then checked away from the heels of KYNAM which shifted in when not properly clear approaching the 800 Metres. K C Leung was again advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Near the 900 Metres, RIGHTEOUS was momentarily crowded for room inside OUR FOLKS which shifted in momentarily before being shifted out to relieve the tightening. Near the 850 Metres, RIGHTEOUS was steadied away from the heels of OUR FOLKS (O Doleuze) which shifted in when not properly clear. O Doleuze was reprimanded. Approaching the 800 Metres, SHARP HUNTER, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, got its head up when being restrained away from the heels of HEALTHY JOYFUL which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RED KYLIN. After this, SHARP HUNTER continued to be awkwardly placed inside the heels of HEALTHY JOYFUL, resulting in SECRET WEAPON, which was racing tight to the inside of SHARP HUNTER, being hampered near the 700 Metres. RIGHTEOUS was badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. RIGHTEOUS continued to be held up until near the 100 Metres at which time it bumped KYNAM when being shifted to the outside of OUR FOLKS into clear running. This resulted in KYNAM being hampered when racing tight between KING OF MONGOLIA and RIGHTEOUS (Z Purton). Z Purton was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. SECRET WEAPON was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres raced in restricted room between BULLISH SMART and ADDOLE which shifted out marginally. HEALTHY JOYFUL was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 300 Metres and then passing the 250 Metres raced tight between ADDOLE and THE PRINCE, both of which were giving ground. Near the 50 Metres, BULLISH SMART was steadied away from the heels of SECRET WEAPON which shifted out. Throughout the race, ADDOLE, RED KYLIN and BULLISH SMART all travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that at the entrance to the Straight he positioned HAPPY BAO BEI to shift out across the heels of BULLISH SMART into clear running. He said as he did this, HAPPY BAO BEI became awkwardly placed close to the heels of BULLISH SMART, resulting in him having to shift HAPPY BAO BEI in away from the heels of that horse momentarily. He said he was then able to steady HAPPY BAO BEI and shift out across the heels of BULLISH SMART into clear running near the 300 Metres. A veterinary inspection of SECRET WEAPON and HEALTHY JOYFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHTEOUS, KING OF MONGOLIA and OUR FOLKS were sent for sampling. <23/2/2015 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that RED KYLIN was lame in its right hind leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, RED KYLIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.