22/11/2020  Shatin  Race 10

DUKE WAI began only fairly and then was crowded for room between BEAUTY APPLAUSE and SAUL’S SPECIAL, both of which shifted ground. GUNNISON shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in HIGHLY PROACTIVE (V Borges) being hampered and taken wider. After this, GUNNISON was steadied and shifted across behind runners. V Borges stated that it was intended for HIGHLY PROACTIVE to be ridden in a forward position, however, after being hampered on jumping, this resulted in HIGHLY PROACTIVE not being able to show the anticipated early speed. He said as there were a considerable number of horses which were expected to obtain a prominent position, he felt that too much use would have to be made of HIGHLY PROACTIVE to obtain a forward position and therefore he elected to shift his mount across and obtain a position in about midfield with cover. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, CALIFORNIA RAD got its head on the side, lay in and bumped BEAUTY AMIGO. Near the 750 Metres, SHINING ACE shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SAUL’S SPECIAL. Passing the 750 Metres, WINNING METHOD commenced to travel very keenly and shifted out away from the heels of ALL IN MIND, resulting in GUNNISON being hampered and taken wider. After the 700 Metres, VICTORIAM was left racing wide and without cover. After the 500 Metres, SAUL’S SPECIAL was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BEAUTY AMIGO which came under pressure. Passing the 400 Metres, SAUL’S SPECIAL was steadied after racing in restricted room between BEAUTY AMIGO which was giving ground and ALL IN MIND which, when improving to the outside of SUNNY BOY, shifted out when awkwardly placed behind that horse. Passing the 350 Metres, ALL IN MIND was shifted to the inside of SUNNY BOY after being disappointed for running between that horse and VICTORIAM. Passing the 300 Metres, DUKE WAI was directed to the outside of CALIFORNIA RAD to obtain clear running. Passing the 150 Metres, WINNING METHOD was checked when improving into tight running inside CALIFORNIA RAD (M Chadwick) which shifted in after being awkwardly placed inside DUKE WAI before being directed out to relieve the crowding to WINNING METHOD. M Chadwick was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 100 Metres, SUNNY BOY was shifted out away from ALL IN MIND after racing tight outside that horse. A veterinary inspection of VICTORIAM, CALIFORNIA RAD and BEAUTY AMIGO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING DREAMER and DUKE WAI were sent for sampling.