11/02/2017  Shatin  Race 7

CIRCUIT HASSLER shifted out at the start and bumped LUCKY GIRL. Shortly after the start, BABA MAMA was crowded for room inside CIRCUIT HASSLER (M Chadwick) which, when being ridden along to obtain a forward position, shifted in. M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear of horses when shifting ground. A short distance after this, CIRCUIT HASSLER was momentarily steadied away from the heels of LUCKY GIRL and despite being ridden along failed to muster speed and raced back in the field. From a wide barrier, LET US WIN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, CALIFORNIA DISEGNO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY which was awkwardly placed behind LUCKY GIRL which shifted out from behind the leader TRAVEL FIRST. Throughout the race, PEOPLE’S KNIGHT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of BABA MAMA in the Straight, K C Leung stated that the horse showed a sharp turn of foot in its previous races and it was his intention shortly after straightening to shift his mount to the outside of ULTIMATE GLORY and make his run with CALIFORNIA DISEGNO on his outside which he considered to be the horse to beat. He said approaching the 300 Metres CALIFORNIA DISEGNO shifted out which presented a tight run between that horse and ULTIMATE GLORY and he rode his mount along to improve into this run. He said however that BABA MAMA was laying in and proving difficult to shift out away from the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY. He said at this time he was unaware that a run had become available to the inside of ULTIMATE GLORY as a result of LUCKY GIRL giving ground, however, he continued to position BABA MAMA to improve between ULTIMATE GLORY and CALIFORNIA DISEGNO as near the 250 Metres a clear run became available between those horses. He added that as he shifted BABA MAMA out, CALIFORNIA DISEGNO shifted in which resulted in BABA MAMA being disappointed for this run. He said he then shifted BABA MAMA to the inside of ULTIMATE GLORY and was able to obtain clear running until near the 50 Metres at which time BABA MAMA raced tight to the inside of ULTIMATE GLORY. K C Leung was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that a run was available for BABA MAMA to improve into between ULTIMATE GLORY and CALIFORNIA DISEGNO, nonetheless he is to ensure that he remains alert to all possibilities to improve his position at critical times of the race. When questioned, J Moreira stated that shortly after entering the Straight he angled LET US WIN to the outside of LUCKY GIRL to improve into a potential run between that horse and BABA MAMA. He said at this time BABA MAMA was racing tight to the inside of CALIFORNIA DISEGNO and as he was unaware of whether BABA MAMA would be directed back to the inside of ULTIMATE GLORY in an attempt to obtain clear running, he elected to shift LET US WIN to the inside of LUCKY GIRL in the hope that that horse would drift out under pressure and provide running between LUCKY GIRL and RAGHU. He said passing the 300 Metres he committed LET US WIN to obtain clear running to the inside of RAGHU, however, when he became aware that a run had opened up between RAGHU and LUCKY GIRL, he directed his mount back out to improve into this run. He said when he did this LUCKY GIRL shifted in which resulted in LET US WIN racing tight to that horse’s inside and behind RAGHU. He added that due to these factors LET US WIN was not able to obtain clear running until the concluding stages and because of this was not able to be tested. After the race, N Rawiller was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of LUCKY GIRL which gave ground in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY GIRL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALIFORNIA DISEGNO and CIRCUIT HASSLER were sent for sampling.