12/04/2015  Shatin  Race 9

HAPPY JOURNEY began awkwardly, shifted out at the start and bumped GORGEOUS LEGEND. VICTORY MASTER was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, AXIOM was steadied away from the heels of FREE JUDGEMENT which was taken out by RUMBA KING. From wide barriers, CHEEKY TOO, EXPEDITE and LEVEL PLAYER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn near the 1500 Metres, GORGEOUS LEGEND was crowded for room between JUN HUO and HAPPY JOURNEY which was also hampered when taken wider by OSCAR MIRACLE which got its head on the side and shifted out. EXPEDITE, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, GORGEOUS LEGEND proved very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of JUN HUO. EXPEDITE and CHEEKY TOO, which were following, were hampered in consequence. After this, GORGEOUS LEGEND continued to travel keenly. Near the 1100 Metres, VICTORY MASTER was momentarily crowded for room inside EXPEDITE which was taken in by CHEEKY TOO which shifted in momentarily away from the heels of GORGEOUS LEGEND before being shifted back out to relieve the tightening. In the early part of the Straight, RUMBA KING got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. W M Lai (HAPPY JOURNEY) dropped his whip at the 200 Metres. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that as TURIN PEARL was attempting 1650 Metres on the All Weather surface for the first time, it was decided to ride the horse more quietly than had been the case over shorter distances in an attempt to assist it in seeing out the distance. A veterinary inspection of CHEEKY TOO, OSCAR MIRACLE and EXPEDITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JUN HUO and HIDDEN VALUE were sent for sampling.