09/04/2017  Shatin  Race 1

BEST STEP was slow to begin and then shifted out towards the heels of FIONN’S CITY, resulting in BEST STEP losing ground. TELECOM TITAN was slow to begin. VIVA COUNCIL shifted in at the start and bumped SHARPMIND. FISH N’ CHIPS (Apprentice H T Mo) got its head on the side and shifted out in the early stages, resulting in VICTORY DUKE and FIONN’S CITY being inconvenienced and taken out onto SKY TREASURE which was steadied when crowded for room inside SHARPMIND. After this, FISH N’ CHIPS continued to lay out. After the race, Apprentice H T Mo stated that his saddle shifted to the right early in the race, placing him at a disadvantage. Passing the 800 Metres, VICTORY DUKE momentarily raced in restricted room between FIONN’S CITY and G’DAY MATE which got its head on the side and shifted out away from WINFULL PATROL. In this incident, VICTORY DUKE was bumped by FIONN’S CITY which raced tight inside SHARPMIND which in turn shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of SIGHT LEADER. G’DAY MATE lost its left hind plate at this stage of the race. Then near the 700 Metres, VICTORY DUKE was steadied when further crowded for room between FIONN’S CITY which continued to race tight inside SHARPMIND and G’DAY MATE which continued to lay out. BEST STEP, which was following FIONN’S CITY, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 650 Metres, VIVA COUNCIL momentarily raced tight outside SHARPMIND which was no longer able to maintain its position between SIGHT LEADER and FIONN’S CITY. In the early and middle stages, SKY TREASURE raced ungenerously. Approaching the 400 Metres, FIONN’S CITY shifted out and bumped BEST STEP. Over the final 300 Metres, VIVA COUNCIL raced with its head on the side and lay out under pressure and near the 50 Metres was steadied away from the heels of VICTORY DUKE which was giving ground and racing tight outside CELEBRATION. Passing the 100 Metres, SHARPMIND was shifted out away from the heels of VICTORY DUKE. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that VICTORY DUKE had sustained a wound to the right front cannon and that G’DAY MATE had sustained a wound to the inside of the left hind heel. A veterinary inspection of FIONN’S CITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, FIONN’S CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SIGHT LEADER and ENCORE BOY were sent for sampling.