30/01/2017  Shatin  Race 7

CITRON SPIRIT was checked on jumping when crowded for room between TANG FLEMING which began awkwardly and WINFIELD which shifted out abruptly. In this incident, WINFIELD and TANG FLEMING bumped heavily. ASSOCIATION FANS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. Near the 1000 Metres, LITTLE DEVIL shifted in and bumped REGENCY BO BO. After the 800 Metres, ASSOCIATION FANS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of APPLAUSE. CITRON SPIRIT was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, DIAMOND KING shifted in away from REGENCY BO BO and bumped MONEY BOY, resulting in both MONEY BOY and DIAMOND KING becoming unbalanced. A short distance later, DIAMOND KING was steadied when crowded for room between MONEY BOY which continued to be unbalanced and REGENCY BO BO (N Callan) which shifted in before being straightened. N Callan was reprimanded and advised that in the circumstances he should have straightened sooner than he did on this occasion. Near the 250 Metres, WINFIELD shifted out abruptly under pressure, resulting in its rider changing his whip through to his left hand. Then near the 150 Metres, WINFIELD shifted in abruptly. When questioned, Z Purton (INDIGENOUS UNION) stated that, from the outside barrier, he shifted the horse across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. He said INDIGENOUS UNION did not travel on the bridle during the race and he was obliged to ride the horse along from after the 700 Metres in an endeavour to put it into the race. He said after improving between ASSOCIATION FANS and GLORIOUS PARTNERS prior to the 600 Metres, he placed INDIGENOUS UNION under heavy pressure in order to have it finish off the race. He said after riding the horse along in the early part of the Straight, he commenced to improve inside WINFIELD when that horse shifted out noticeably near the 250 Metres. He said when improving to the inside of WINFIELD, he had to stop riding momentarily when that horse shifted in abruptly near the 150 Metres, however, was able to resume riding INDIGENOUS UNION along when that horse was straightened. He added he intended to then take advantage of a run between WINFIELD and A BEAUTIFUL, however, A BEAUTIFUL shifted out after the 100 Metres and for this reason he directed INDIGENOUS UNION back to the inside of that horse. He said he was unable to improve to the inside of A BEAUTIFUL due to ASSOCIATION FANS shifting out and because of this he was not able to test INDIGENOUS UNION over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of INDIGENOUS UNION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, it was reported by the Veterinary Surgeon that FIVE UP HIGH was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FIVE UP HIGH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TANG FLEMING and MONEY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CITRON SPIRIT and REGENCY BO BO were sent for sampling.