01/10/2016  Shatin  Race 6

After beginning awkwardly and making contact with LUCKY GUY, ENDEARING then shifted in, resulting in CAPE THE FAITH which began awkwardly being further hampered. CALL ME AWESOME began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CAREFREE LET GO. On the first turn at the 850 Metres, CALL ME AWESOME (K C Leung) shifted out, resulting in ORIONIDS being hampered and taken wider. K C Leung advised that CALL ME AWESOME then hung out throughout the middle stages and he was unable to get the horse to relax whilst racing in the lead. He said as a consequence CALL ME AWESOME was beaten soon after straightening and then weakened in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of CALL ME AWESOME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Passing the 500 Metres, LAUGH OUT LOUD was steadied when momentarily tightened for room between LOVELY DELOVELY and GORGEOUS KING which shifted out slightly. CAREFREE LET GO was held up for a short distance in the early part of the Straight. Also in the early part of the Straight, LAUGH OUT LOUD was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GORGEOUS KING. When placed under pressure in the Straight, ORIONIDS raced greenly and was inclined to hang out. When questioned regarding his riding of ROUNDABOUT in the Home Straight, particularly in the early part of the Straight, D Whyte stated that after discussions with connections prior to its last start win, it was felt that ROUNDABOUT gives its best when able to be brought to the outside as the horse is reluctant to improve between runners. He said it was decided to ride ROUNDABOUT in exactly the same manner as its last start by going back from its outside barrier and bringing the horse to the extreme outside on straightening. He said on straightening he brought ROUNDABOUT to the outside and rode the horse in a hands and heels fashion in the early part of the Straight and similar to last start, the horse let down well and commenced to close off strongly. He said that he continued to ride ROUNDABOUT hands and heels before pulling the whip near the 150 Metres as ROUNDABOUT continued to close off well. D Whyte was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must ensure that he does not give his mounts too much to do. IRON BOY and LUCKY GUY were sent for sampling.