21/05/2017  Shatin  Race 6

INFINITY ENDEAVOUR jumped in at the start, taking VIVA COUNCIL in onto GRADE ONE which, after beginning awkwardly, was hampered and taken in onto SILVERFIELD which was bumped on the hindquarters. DAZZLE WINNER jumped out at the start and bumped heavily with ALL YOU NEED, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. DAZZLE WINNER then had to be steadied away from the heels of WINGOLD which got its head up and shifted out when being steadied to obtain cover. On the first turn at the 900 Metres, GRADE ONE shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of COLOURFUL ACHIEVER. After the 900 Metres, JIMSON THE FAMOUS was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, GOOD METHOD was steadied away from the heels of CARE FREE PRINCE (N Callan) which was also steadied by its rider after assuming the outright lead. CELEBRATION, which was trailing GOOD METHOD, had to be checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out, causing HURRICANE HUNTER to be hampered when tightened onto the hindquarters of JIMSON THE FAMOUS. COLOURFUL ACHIEVER, which was following, was obliged to shift out abruptly away from the heels of HURRICANE HUNTER and in so doing bumped heavily with ALL YOU NEED which was severely hampered and taken wider. SPICY KAKA and WINGOLD, which were following, were also checked. N Callan was warned and advised to ensure that he does not steady the pace too abruptly which has the potential to cause interference to other runners. After this incident, COLOURFUL ACHIEVER and ALL YOU NEED were left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, SILVERFIELD, which improved quickly between GRADE ONE and SPICY KAKA, was checked when crowded by SPICY KAKA which shifted in slightly when unbalanced. VIVA COUNCIL hung out in the middle stages and continued to hang out badly in the Straight and as such was unable to be properly tested. The racing manners of VIVA COUNCIL were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VIVA COUNCIL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. For some distance in the early part of the Straight, WINGOLD got its head up and was awkwardly placed when held up for clear running behind COLOURFUL ACHIEVER. GRADE ONE was unable to obtain clear running until the 150 Metres and over the concluding stages was inconvenienced by SILVERFIELD which shifted out under pressure. A veterinary inspection of ALL YOU NEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HURRICANE HUNTER immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a cut to the outside of the left hock. Before being allowed to race again, HURRICANE HUNTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CARE FREE PRINCE and INFINITY ENDEAVOUR were sent for sampling.