01/10/2018  Shatin  Race 3

ROCKAGE was slow to begin. MUTUAL JOY shifted out at the start and bumped SUPER EIGHTEEN. I’M THE CONQUIST was bumped by VERY SWEET ORANGE a short distance after the start. PACIFIC MASTER began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped CORDYCEPS which became unbalanced. From the outside barriers, SEVENTY SEVENTY, MONKEY JEWELLERY and BLAZING PARTNERS were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1050 Metres and again passing the 1000 Metres, PACIFIC MASTER got its head up when being checked away from the heels of COMPLACENCY. COMPLACENCY travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres. Near the 550 Metres, SUPER EIGHTEEN and VERY SWEET ORANGE raced tight inside HONEST WAY. PACIFIC MASTER made the Home Turn awkwardly. CORDYCEPS, which was following PACIFIC MASTER, was shifted to the inside of that horse at the entrance to the Straight after being disappointed for running between that horse and ROYAL MOJITO. MUTUAL JOY had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Over the concluding stages, MONKEY JEWELLERY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SEVENTY SEVENTY which shifted out under pressure. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he was instructed to ride HONEST WAY in about 5th or 6th position with cover if possible. He said in the early stages he attempted to shift in to obtain a position with cover behind COMPLACENCY and after the 1000 Metres was awkwardly placed behind and marginally outside that horse as COMPLACENCY was also being steadied in an attempt to obtain a trailing position. He added due to PACIFIC MASTER maintaining its position inside HONEST WAY, this resulted in HONEST WAY getting its head up when awkwardly placed behind COMPLACENCY near the 900 Metres. He said as he was unable to obtain cover behind COMPLACENCY due to PACIFIC MASTER continuing to hold its position, HONEST WAY was then left racing in a four wide position without cover and he therefore, after the 800 Metres, allowed HONEST WAY to improve its position forward of COMPLACENCY in the hope that he may be able to obtain a position closer to the rail. He added after being able to clear COMPLACENCY near the 600 Metres, HONEST WAY was left racing in a three wide position without cover. A veterinary inspection of HONEST WAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CORDYCEPS and VERY SWEET ORANGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HONEST WAY, SEVENTY SEVENTY and COMPLACENCY were sent for sampling. <2/10/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that COMPLACENCY was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, COMPLACENCY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.