21/05/2017  Shatin  Race 1

SUNNY ORIENT began only fairly and then, despite being ridden along, was slow to muster speed. FOXBAT, which began awkwardly, was steadied soon after the start when placed in restricted room between EVER STRONG and MONEY WINNER, both of which shifted ground. HAPPY SEA DRAGON lost its left front plate near the 1000 Metres. After being crossed by JUMBO LUCK, LONDON CITY shifted out at the 1000 Metres, resulting in HAPPY SEA DRAGON and THE FULL BLOOM being inconvenienced and taken wider. At the same stage, PERFECT TOUCH and MASTER STEED, which were following, both commenced to race fiercely and had to be restrained for some distance. Then at the 850 Metres, THE FULL BLOOM (Apprentice H N Wong) shifted in, resulting in HAPPY SEA DRAGON being taken in onto MASTER STEED, causing crowding to MASTER STEED and PERFECT TOUCH. Apprentice Wong was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. HAPPY SEA DRAGON then raced keenly inside the heels of THE FULL BLOOM for some distance and at the 700 Metres shifted in further, resulting in MASTER STEED having to be steadied. THE FULL BLOOM remained racing three wide and without cover throughout the middle stages. When placed under pressure leaving the 400 Metres, MONEY WINNER was inclined to lay out and inconvenienced NOBLE DE BOY. SUNNY ORIENT was inclined to lay in under pressure in the Straight. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PERFECT TOUCH had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of MASTER STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JUMBO LUCK and STARSHIP were sent for sampling.