06/02/2016  Shatin  Race 4

GREAT TREASURE began only fairly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between RED DANCER and CHARITY PLENTY, both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, VICTORY MASTER and JAEGER BOMB bumped. Approaching the 900 Metres, LEADING HORSE and BISHOP'S LEAP raced tight and made contact due to BISHOP'S LEAP shifting in as LEADING HORSE was attempting to establish a position between that horse and PEARL FURU. Passing the 700 Metres, CHARITY PLENTY raced tight outside RED DANCER which shifted out. WINNAM was held up for clear running until passing the 300 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of LEADING HORSE in the early part of the Straight, K C Leung stated that rounding the Home Turn he shifted LEADING HORSE to the outside of PEARL FURU as he did not expect that that horse would take him into the race. He said he positioned LEADING HORSE to take advantage of a run between PEARL FURU and THE RAINBOW should it eventuate in the early part of the Straight. He added at this time LEADING HORSE was racing just to the outside of the heels of PEARL FURU and as he felt that a run may become available between those horses, he did not want to break LEADING HORSE's momentum by having to steady it to shift to the inside of PEARL FURU which at this time was racing away from the rail. He said LEADING HORSE was then held up for clear running as the run did not immediately open, however, near the 300 Metres THE RAINBOW shifted out which resulted in the run nearly becoming available inside that horse and to the outside of PEARL FURU. He added he rode LEADING HORSE along to improve into what was tight running between those horses, however, prior to being able to improve into the run, PEARL FURU shifted out marginally which resulted in the run no longer being available. He said he then shifted LEADING HORSE to the inside of PEARL FURU passing the 300 Metres and then obtained clear running. K C Leung's explanation was accepted. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN SLEEP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY GIRL and LEADING HORSE were sent for sampling.