19/02/2017  Shatin  Race 9

LUCKY EVER was withdrawn on 18.2.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LITTLE DRAGON (H W Lai). Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY EVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOLD LAND and PHOTON WILLIE were slow to begin. KING GENKI began only fairly. SPICY SURE, which was fractious in the barriers, put its head down and to the left as the start was effected, resulting in the horse beginning very awkwardly and losing ground. TRAVEL FIRST shifted out at the start and bumped MYTHICAL EMPEROR. From the outside barriers, KEEN VENTURE and LIMITLESS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. For some distance approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, MIDNIGHT RATTLER proved difficult to settle. Passing the 1000 Metres, LITTLE DRAGON was taken wider by SICHUAN DAR which shifted to the outside of SOLAR HEI HEI. After this, LITTLE DRAGON was left racing wide and without cover. Also passing the 1000 Metres, WHO DAT SINGA was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 900 Metres, SICHUAN DAR and SOLAR HEI HEL bumped. SOLAR HEI HEI was badly held up for clear running from near the 350 Metres until passing the 200 Metres. From near the 200 Metres until over the concluding stages, MIDNIGHT RATTLER was held up for clear running and unable to be tested. Passing the 200 Metres, TRAVEL FIRST was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MYTHICAL EMPEROR. KING GENKI was held up for clear running over the last 150 Metres and consequently was not able to be fully tested. Approaching the 100 Metres, GOLD LAND was momentarily steadied away from the heels of SOLAR HEI HEI which shifted out to obtain clear running. Over the final 100 Metres, SICHUAN DAR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE DRAGON and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of SICHUAN DAR, MIDNIGHT RATTLER and MYTHICAL EMPEROR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WHO DAT SINGA, LIMITLESS and KEEN VENTURE were sent for sampling.