27/10/2021  Shatin  Race 4

MASTER AQUA was withdrawn on 26.10.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY TANGO (K H Chan). Before being allowed to race again, MASTER AQUA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EVERYONE’S VICTORY was bumped on jumping by FORTUNE HAPPINESS which was taken out by AQUILA. VALIANT ELEGANCE shifted out at the start and bumped INDIGENOUS FELLOW which in turn shifted out abruptly, resulting in ALMIGHTY PEGASUS being crowded for room inside STEEL WIN which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by ALMIGHTY PEGASUS. HAPPY TANGO shifted out abruptly at the start and inconvenienced MAGIC SUPREME. Near the 1100 Metres, STEEL WIN got its head on the side, lay in and inconvenienced INDIGENOUS FELLOW. Shortly after entering the Straight, FORTUNE HAPPINESS shifted in away from the heels of STEEL WIN and towards the heels of AQUILA, resulting in its rider having to correct FORTUNE HAPPINESS. Passing the 200 Metres, JOYFUL GENIUS became unbalanced when being shifted out away from the heels of SUPER MISSION which shifted out. INDIGENOUS FELLOW lay out under pressure in the Straight. The performance of ALMIGHTY PEGASUS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ALMIGHTY PEGASUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. K H Chan, the rider of HAPPY TANGO, was warned against the practice of shifting his mounts in at an acute angle. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HAPPY TANGO, K H Chan stated that, in his opinion, the horse did not appreciate having VALIANT ELEGANCE and in particular MAGIC SUPREME racing to its outside. He said when taken on in the lead by MAGIC SUPREME, HAPPY TANGO would not relax and came under pressure after the 500 Metres. He said HAPPY TANGO then gave ground noticeably in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY TANGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, L Ferraris stated that AQUILA got its head on the side and lay out making the first turn near the 700 Metres. He said when this happened, his saddle shifted to the left, placing him at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race. A veterinary inspection of AQUILA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPER MISSION, K Teetan stated that it was hoped that SUPER MISSION would be able to obtain a position in about midfield from barrier 9. He said SUPER MISSION had previously trialed well on the surface when ridden from off the speed and it was hoped that riding the horse in a similar manner tonight would afford it the best opportunity to finish off the race. He said after steadying his mount to obtain cover, he had to ride it along after the 1100 Metres as SUPER MISSION appeared to be resenting the kickback. He said after this he kept SUPER MISSION racing wide along the Back Straight in the hope that the horse would travel better, however, making the turn near the 700 Metres he was required to shift SUPER MISSION across to a position closer to the rail to avoid racing unnecessarily wide. He added making the turn after the 700 Metres SUPER MISSION lay out which made it difficult for him to improve into running which was available between FORTUNE HAPPINESS and YOUNG VICTORY after the 600 Metres. He said after briefly being awkwardly placed behind FORTUNE HAPPINESS near the 500 Metres, SUPER MISSION came under heavy pressure and then after racing in restricted room between YOUNG VICTORY and JOYFUL GENIUS at the entrance to the Straight did not finish off the race over the concluding stages. He said based on the disappointing performance of SUPER MISSION tonight, he did recommend to connections that they consider reverting back to racing on the turf as this is the surface that SUPER MISSION had previously raced well on. A veterinary inspection of SUPER MISSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER MISSION, MAGIC SUPREME and EVERYONE’S VICTORY were sent for sampling.