14/04/2019  Shatin  Race 2

ADONIS was slow to begin. RICHCITY FORTUNE shifted in at the start and inconvenienced NASHASHUK. RAICHU began only fairly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY. RAICHU then lost ground when crowded for room between AMBITIOUS SPEEDY and STARLOT which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. After this, from wide barriers, STARLOT and RAICHU were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. On jumping, LEISURED FEET shifted in and brushed AMBITIOUS SPEEDY. OTOUTO began awkwardly and despite being vigorously ridden along in the early and middle stages failed to muster speed. Passing the 1000 Metres, LUCKY STORM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY (H T Mo) which shifted in when not properly clear. H T Mo was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. In the early part of the Straight, ADONIS got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 200 Metres, OTOUTO was momentarily steadied away from the heels of RAICHU which, after initially being taken out by ADONIS, then shifted out away from that horse. Passing the 75 Metres, RICHCITY FORTUNE raced tight inside STARLOT. Close to the finishing line, STARLOT was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AMBITIOUS SPEEDY and consequently was not able to be fully tested. Throughout the race, LEISURED FEET travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice K H Chan (LEISURED FEET) stated that, from the wide barrier, he was asked to obtain a position behind the speed if possible. He said he had to make some use of the horse in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and because of this was left racing outside and slightly in advance of DISTRICT EXPRESS approaching the 1200 Metres. He said as it was not available for him to obtain a trailing position behind that horse due to AMBITIOUS SPEEDY being positioned behind DISTRICT EXPRESS, he therefore allowed his mount to improve its position in the hope of being able to cross DISTRICT EXPRESS and race outside the leader RICHCITY FORTUNE. He said he was mindful that he had made a lot of use of LEISURED FEET in the early stages and because of this he did not want to ride it too vigorously to cross DISTRICT EXPRESS as he believed that the horse would then not be able to finish off its race. He added when DISTRICT EXPRESS maintained its position inside LEISURED FEET after the 800 Metres, this resulted in LEISURED FEET having to race wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of DISTRICT EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. ADONIS, LAUGH OUT LOUD and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY were sent for sampling.