20/09/2020  Shatin  Race 6

CLASSIC POSH lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected. STOCK LEGEND began very awkwardly, got its head up, shifted out and bumped MORE THAN ENOUGH, resulting in MORE THAN ENOUGH becoming unbalanced and STOCK LEGEND losing ground. ROBOT WARRIOR shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SO AWESOME, resulting in ROBOT WARRIOR losing ground. After this, ROBOT WARRIOR was again steadied away from the heels of SO AWESOME which shifted in after making contact with INNO LEGEND. DRAGON IN FIELD and GOLDEN MISSION bumped at the start. From wide barriers, FLYING SPIRIT and SMART CHARADE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 900 Metres, HAPPILY FRIENDS travelled keenly and got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover behind INNO LEGEND. STOCK LEGEND lay out after the 800 Metres. SMART CHARADE had some difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight when being shifted to the outside of runners. SO AWESOME was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. SCORES OF FUN had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 350 Metres was steadied and shifted to the inside of HAPPILY FRIENDS after being disappointed for a run between that horse and DRAGON IN FIELD which was commencing to give ground. Approaching the 200 Metres, SCORES OF FUN was awkwardly placed behind INNO LEGEND when held up for clear running behind that horse. SCORES OF FUN was then shifted to the outside of INNO LEGEND and when improving into tight running between that horse and HAPPILY FRIENDS made contact with the hindquarters of INNO LEGEND (Z Purton) which became unbalanced. After the race, Z Purton stated that after becoming unbalanced, INNO LEGEND then did not close off the race over the concluding stages. Near the 150 Metres, ABOVE ALL and STOCK LEGEND brushed. When questioned, A Badel stated that, from the outside barrier, he was asked to ride GOLDEN MISSION positively with its light weight and attempt to obtain a forward position behind the speed if possible. He said after riding his mount along in the early stages, he shifted across with DRAGON IN FIELD and steadied his mount passing the 1000 Metres, however, due to the makeup of the field, GOLDEN MISSION was left racing wide and without cover when DRAGON IN FIELD shifted across to race outside the lead. He said this resulted in GOLDEN MISSION having to race wide and without cover throughout the race. After the race, it was reported that ABOVE ALL had sustained a minor laceration to the right hind fetlock. A veterinary inspection of INNO LEGEND and DRAGON IN FIELD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SCORES OF FUN and CLASSIC POSH were sent for sampling.