01/10/2017  Shatin  Race 5

PLAY IT began awkwardly and lost ground at the start. ENORMOUS HONOUR shifted out at the start and made contact with the hindquarters of DRAGON DANCE. ENORMOUS HONOUR raced wide and without cover from the 1000 Metres. Rounding the Home Turn, LITTLE FANTASY raced in restricted room between ENORMOUS HONOUR and TRIUMPHANT LIGHT which was inclined to lay out. From the entrance to the Straight until approaching the 200 Metres, PLAY IT had difficulty obtaining clear running. Passing the 400 Metres, THE SHOW and FIRST FONTEIN bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 200 Metres, MORETHANLUCKY was struck across the nose by the whip of Apprentice H N Wong (ENORMOUS HONOUR). After leaving the 100 Metres, MORETHANLUCKY shifted out under pressure, inconveniencing ENORMOUS HONOUR. C Y Ho, the rider of the winner, WIN FOR CHARITY, was spoken to concerning his having made a celebratory gesture prior to the finishing line and failing to ride his mount out to the winning post given the winning margin of a short head. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he was instructed to ride THE SHOW in a relatively prominent position behind the speed, however, after beginning well, THE SHOW did not show the anticipated early speed despite being hard ridden for the first 100 Metres. He said this resulted in THE SHOW settling further back in the field than was intended. He said when the pace of the race quickened from the 600 Metres, THE SHOW immediately came off the bridle and then did not respond to his riding and was very disappointing. A veterinary inspection of THE SHOW immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FIRST FONTEIN immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FIRST FONTEIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TRIUMPHANT LIGHT immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WIN FOR CHARITY and MORETHANLUCKY were sent for sampling.