20/03/2016  Shatin  Race 8

HIGH FIVE shifted in at the start and bumped MIDNIGHT RATTLER. MIDNIGHT RATTLER then got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in LOVELY DELOVELY being crowded for room outside LUCKY EVER. After this, LOVELY DELOVELY was hard ridden to obtain a forward position, however, failed to muster speed. Near the 950 Metres, HIGH FIVE commenced to travel strongly when being shifted in to obtain a position with cover behind MIDNIGHT RATTLER. This resulted in HIGH FIVE shifting out away from the heels of MIDNIGHT RATTLER. LOVELY DELOVELY, which was following, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. FURIOUS PEGASUS was also inconvenienced in this incident. Near the 750 Metres, HIGH FIVE got its head up when proving difficult to settle and racing tight between MIDNIGHT RATTLER and FULL TALENT. Rounding the Home Turn, SKYROCKETS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RIGHTEOUS. Making the Home Turn, FULL TALENT got its head on the side and lay out. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS and SOLAR HEI HEI were held up for clear running until approaching the 300 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, Y T Cheng (LOVELY DELOVELY) was hit in the face by a clod. Passing the 100 Metres, CLEVER BEAVER was momentarily eased away from the heels of LUCKY EVER (R Moore) which shifted in. R Moore was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Close to the finishing line, HIGH FIVE (N Callan) hung in under pressure and raced tight outside FULL TALENT which shifted out. This resulted in N Callan having to stop riding and straighten his mount. Throughout the race, SKY HERO and FULL TALENT travelled wide and without cover. After the race, J Moreira stated that MIDNIGHT RATTLER's performance was disappointing. He said he was able to obtain a good position throughout the early and middle stages, however, when placed under pressure, the horse did not close off the race as it did at its most recent start when successful. A veterinary inspection of MIDNIGHT RATTLER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIDNIGHT RATTLER, LUCKY EVER and WASHINGTON HEIGHTS were sent for sampling. <21/3/2016 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SKYROCKETS at the request of Trainer P F Yiu. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SKYROCKETS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.