26/03/2017  Shatin  Race 6

ROBUST MOMENTUM began only fairly. KEEP MOVING shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in GRACIOUS RYDER being checked and DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS being badly hampered when bumped heavily by GRACIOUS RYDER. Shortly after the start, PERFECT TOUCH and SUPER TALENT bumped, resulting in PERFECT TOUCH becoming badly unbalanced. Also shortly after the start, LONDON CITY and SKY TREASURE bumped. Passing the 1100 Metres, SKY TREASURE shifted in and bumped LONDON CITY. Near the 1000 Metres, SKY TREASURE (Apprentice H N Wong) lost ground after shifting in away from COMPASSION STAR and being awkwardly placed outside the heels of LONDON CITY which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by SKY TREASURE. When SKY TREASURE lost ground, PERFECT TOUCH, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse. GRACIOUS RYDER, which was following PERFECT TOUCH, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in SUPER TALENT being hampered when bumped by GRACIOUS RYDER. As Apprentice Wong attempted to shift SKY TREASURE out to relieve the tightening to PERFECT TOUCH, VITAL SPRING, which was racing to the outside of SKY TREASURE, was checked out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS also being hampered. Passing the 1100 Metres, KEEP MOVING was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RICHCITY FORTUNE (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted in at an acute angle before being straightened. Apprentice Poon will be warned against the practice of shifting his mounts in too abruptly. Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, GRACIOUS RYDER got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed behind PERFECT TOUCH. After the 800 Metres, SKY TREASURE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 650 Metres, PERFECT TOUCH and VITAL SPRING bumped. Passing the 600 Metres, PERFECT TOUCH was steadied away from the heels of COMPASSION STAR. RICHCITY FORTUNE got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. The performance of PERFECT TOUCH, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT TOUCH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of VITAL SPRING, J Moreira stated that his mount was obliged to race further back in the field that had been anticipated as it did not show sufficient early speed to be able to clear runners to its inside and obtain a more forward position. He said although VITAL SPRING was hampered near the 1000 Metres, the horse subsequently travelled satisfactorily, however, came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then, despite being ridden out, did not close off the race and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of VITAL SPRING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KEEP MOVING and GRACIOUS RYDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VITAL SPRING, LONDON CITY and DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS were sent for sampling.