19/02/2017  Shatin  Race 4

FISH N’ CHIPS began awkwardly and lost ground. APACHE SPIRIT shifted in abruptly at the start despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in MEGA RED and TRAVEL COMFORTS being hampered. From a wide barrier, ARIZONA BLIZZARD was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, OUR FOLKS became unbalanced when being hard ridden and as a consequence lost ground. This matter will be brought to the attention of Mr C W Chang, the trainer of OUR FOLKS. Passing the 700 Metres, OUR FOLKS was checked away from the heels of URBAN CHIC. In this incident, OUR FOLKS shifted in marginally, resulting in APACHE SPIRIT racing in restricted room outside FISH N’ CHIPS which also shifted out slightly. ARIZONA BLIZZARD, which was following APACHE SPIRIT, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Also passing the 700 Metres, TRAVEL COMFORTS got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of SWISS WARRIOR. Passing the 500 Metres, APACHE SPIRIT raced tight between OUR FOLKS which lay in and MEGA RED which was commencing to shift to the outside of FISH N’ CHIPS. Then near the 450 Metres, APACHE SPIRIT was steadied when crowded for room between OUR FOLKS and MEGA RED (K Teetan) which shifted out. K Teetan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear of other runners prior to shifting ground. Passing the 300 Metres, APACHE SPIRIT was directed out away from the heels of ARIZONA BLIZZARD which shifted out. Passing the 200 Metres, MEGA RED shifted out abruptly under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten. MEGA RED continued to shift out under pressure over the concluding stages. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he had been asked to obtain a forward position on HAPPY METEOR. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount aggressively in the early stages, however, a number of runners, which were drawn more favourably, were also hard ridden in the early stages. He said he believed that he would have had to do too much work on HAPPY METEOR to cross those runners and therefore rather than racing unnecessarily wide, he elected to steady HAPPY METEOR and obtain a trailing position behind URBAN CHIC. He said when he did this URBAN CHIC itself obtained a trailing position behind SWISS WARRIOR and therefore HAPPY METEOR was left racing wide and without cover. He said when URBAN CHIC lay out making the first turn he then elected to ride his mount forward of that horse to ensure that he was not taken unnecessarily wider. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY METEOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OUR FOLKS and FISH N’ CHIPS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ARIZONA BLIZZARD, MEGA RED and MOST BEAUTIFUL were sent for sampling.