23/04/2017  Shatin  Race 6

RICHCITY FORTUNE began awkwardly. SILVER SPUN was crowded for room on jumping between MONEY MONEY and THE INVINCIBLE which shifted out. In this incident, MONEY MONEY became unbalanced after being bumped by SILVER SPUN. From a wide barrier, FOREVER ACCURATE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 900 Metres, SILVER SPUN travelled keenly. Near the 700 Metres, SMILING GLORY was awkwardly placed when racing tight between STARLOT and SILVER SPUN which got its head on the side and lay in towards the hindquarters of RICHCITY FORTUNE. THE INVINCIBLE was unable to obtain clear running in the early part of the Straight and then for some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres was shifted out to improve. A veterinary inspection of FOREVER ACCURATE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FOREVER ACCURATE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FOREVER ACCURATE 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, Apprentice M F Poon stated that in the early part of the Straight he shifted SMILING GLORY to the inside of RICHCITY FORTUNE to improve into running between that horse and MONEY MONEY. He said SMILING GLORY did not quicken and took some time to improve its position and near the 200 Metres he was awkwardly placed between RICHCITY FORTUNE and STARLOT. He said when both those horses shifted ground slightly passing the 200 Metres, he was not able to fully ride his mount along at this time as he was unsure of whether either horse would continue to shift, resulting in SMILING GLORY striking interference. He said because of this he was not able to test SMILING GLORY in the Straight as much as he would have hoped. After the race, J Moreira stated that he was obliged to make a lot of use of BORN DRAGON in the early stages to obtain a forward position and then throughout the race was obliged to race very wide and without cover after being unable to clear SILVER SPUN to its inside. A veterinary inspection of BORN DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that BEAR CHUM had bled from both nostrils. BORN DRAGON, GOLDIE FLANKER and STARLOT were sent for sampling.