01/07/2017  Shatin  Race 1

SUPER CLAN was slow to begin. THE LEGEND was steadied away from the heels of LEISURED FEET on jumping which got its head on the side and shifted out. Shortly after the start, NOBLE DE BOY was bumped by EVER LAUGH which shifted in. From wide barriers, both HAPPY HAPPY and SAVANNAH WIND were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. MASTER BERNINI got its head up on a number of occasions in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover HAPPY OUT THERE lost its left front plate at the 1050 Metres. Apprentice H T Mo (NOBLE DE BOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of REMARKABLE, resulting in that horse being checked and taken in onto HURRICANE HUNTER which was also checked and taken in across the rightful running of MASTER BERNINI, causing that horse to be severely checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Mo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 12 July 2017 and to expire on Monday, 17 July 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Mo was fined $30,000. Passing the 800 Metres, REMARKABLE commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOBLE DE BOY. Near the 650 Metres, NOBLE DE BOY, which was travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of LONDON MASTER and bumped the hindquarters of HAPPY OUT THERE. REMARKABLE, which was following NOBLE DE BOY, and continuing to prove difficult to settle, improved onto the heels of NOBLE DE BOY and had to be steadied. At the same stage, MASTER BERNINI, which was racing to the inside of REMARKABLE, also commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HURRICANE HUNTER, resulting in MASTER BERNINI shifting out and bumping the hindquarters of REMARKABLE, causing both MASTER BERNINI and REMARKABLE to become badly unbalanced. Then near the 550 Metres, REMARKABLE again got its head up when being checked away from the heels of NOBLE DE BOY and shifted in, resulting in MASTER BERNINI being crowded for room. NOBLE DE BOY had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Throughout the race, HAPPY OUT THERE and TEAM SWEET travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that after being able to take up a prominent position in the early stages on THE LEGEND which was having its first race start today, he shifted that horse to the outside of the eventual winner LEISURED FEET shortly after entering the Straight. He said THE LEGEND was travelling well at this time and he felt that the horse may be able to place. He said THE LEGEND initially responded well to his riding in the early part of the Straight, however, when runners improved around THE LEGEND approaching the 200 Metres, his mount raced greenly, lay in and commenced to give ground. He added he continued to push his mount out to the end of the race, however, THE LEGEND gave ground over the final 200 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EVER LAUGH, U Rispoli stated that at its first and only other race start, the horse was slow to begin and consequently raced back in the field. He said he was asked today to try and have the horse begin better and therefore be able to take up a more prominent position. He said EVER LAUGH began well and he was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to make too much use of the horse. He said although EVER LAUGH was required to travel three wide, the horse at all times had cover and travelled satisfactorily in the early stages. He said EVER LAUGH came under pressure at the 500 Metres and then, despite being ridden out, was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He added, in his opinion, EVER LAUGH would be better suited in races over a longer distance than that of today’s race and may also benefit by being ridden more conservatively in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of EVER LAUGH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination conducted on LONDON MASTER showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea and also confirmed the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. LEISURED FEET and NONE OTHER were sent for sampling.