12/07/2020  Shatin  Race 5

LET’S TAKE IT EASY shifted out at the start and inconvenienced NATURAL STORM. FAMILY LEADER shifted in at the start and bumped REYNOLDS. From wide barriers, SMART COUSIN, JIMMU, MANAGEMENT STAR and GOOD DAYS were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden for some distance in the early stages, MISTER MONTE was slow to muster speed. Passing the 800 Metres, LET’S TAKE IT EASY was momentarily crowded for room inside REYNOLDS which got its head on the side and lay in before being shifted out to relieve the tightening to LET’S TAKE IT EASY. After this, REYNOLDS was left racing wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, DRAGON COMMANDER was left racing wide and without cover and near the 650 Metres was bumped on the hindquarters by NATURAL STORM. At the entrance to the Straight, DRAGON COMMANDER, which was giving ground, momentarily raced tight between GOOD DAYS and MANAGEMENT STAR which shifted out. After this, DRAGON COMMANDER gave ground and finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON COMMANDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DRAGON COMMANDER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON COMMANDER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the 400 Metres, JIMMU and MANAGEMENT STAR bumped. CHEERFUL STAR was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 200 Metres was awkwardly placed behind CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE which was giving ground. CHEERFUL STAR was then shifted to the outside of CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE near the 150 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA was shifted to the outside of LET’S TAKE ITT EASY after being disappointed for running between that horse and MCMUNIGAL which was giving ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE, K Teetan stated that, in his opinion, the horse finished off its races best when able to obtain cover as was the case at its most recent start when it finished second. He said in today’s race, from a wide barrier, he shifted CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE across with runners to its inside with a view to obtaining a trialing position as it was felt that MISTER MONTE as well as a number of horses drawn inside CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE would be ridden to take up a forward position. He said after shifting across with FAMILY LEADER in the early stages, CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE travelled too keenly and he was unable to restrain the horse to obtain cover. He said CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE continued to travel keenly along the Back Straight and when it became apparent to him that he would not be able to obtain cover, he elected to press forward on CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE into the lead. He added CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE came under pressure prior to the 500 Metres and then in the Straight gave ground. He said the performance of CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE today, in his opinion, confirmed that the horse is better suited when ridden with cover, however, he added that the manner in which CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE had travelled keenly in the early and middle stages also provided another reason for the horse not finishing off the race. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE, favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MCMUNIGAL, M F Poon stated that the horse was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages in accordance with its normal racing pattern. He said MCMUNIGAL travelled satisfactorily until being placed under pressure passing the 600 Metres. He said MCMUNIGAL immediately came under heavy pressure and did not respond to his riding. He said in the Straight MCMUNIGAL shortened stride noticeably and did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MCMUNIGAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MCMUNIGAL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MCMUNIGAL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHEERFUL STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE, NATURAL STORM and MANAGEMENT STAR were sent for sampling.