07/04/2015  Shatin  Race 3

LUCKY SCEPTER shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in UNIQUE AWESOME being checked when crowded for room inside WATCH KING which was also inconvenienced. INNOVATIVE WINNER was hampered on jumping when crowded for room between FUN TAPESTRY and MASQUERADER which shifted in. From the outside barrier, IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn passing the 900 Metres, LUCKY SCEPTER commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out when awkwardly placed behind MASTER VIKING and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of KING OF REASON. Passing the 900 Metres, G-ONE LEADER got its head up when momentarily placed in restricted room inside KIROV. At the entrance to the Straight, KING OF REASON and FUN TAPESTRY bumped as KING OF REASON attempted to shift to the outside of PLENTY OF SPEED. LUCKY SCEPTER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, CIRCUIT FORTUNE was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between G-ONE LEADER and ADDOLE which shifted in. Then passing the 300 Metres, CIRCUIT FORTUNE was shifted to the outside of ADDOLE to obtain clear running. Near the 200 Metres, LUCKY SCEPTER and PLENTY OF SPEED made contact. G-ONE LEADER was unable to obtain clear running until approaching the 200 Metres. Near the 150 Metres, G-ONE LEADER shifted to the outside of the heels of KIROV and bumped ADDOLE. UNIQUE AWESOME, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Throughout the race, FUN TAPESTRY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of PLENTY OF SPEED, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he had been asked to lead if possible, however, if another runner was intent on leading, he should allow PLENTY OF SPEED to be positioned to the outside of that horse. He said PLENTY OF SPEED began only fairly and he had to ride his mount along to recover lost ground. He said near the 1100 Metres he was able to shift in to race outside MASTER VIKING which was positioned on the rail. He said, in his opinion, at this time PLENTY OF SPEED was not travelling comfortably and for this reason he was reluctant to push his mount to cross MASTER VIKING. Apprentice Wong was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, given the manner in which MASTER VIKING was being ridden and the average tempo of the race at the relevant stages, PLENTY OF SPEED’s interests would have been better served by allowing that horse to continue on into the outright lead rather than continuing to race outside and in advance of MASTER VIKING. A veterinary inspection of KING OF REASON and IMPERIAL GALLANTRY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY SCEPTER and G-ONE LEADER were sent for sampling.