06/12/2020  Shatin  Race 4

FORTUNE BUDDY began awkwardly. DAILY CHARM shifted out at the start and bumped DRAGON COMMANDER which resulted in DAILY CHARM losing ground. CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE shifted out at the start and inconvenienced SHINEALOT. From wide barriers, SKY GEM and PROUD SKY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, SACRED TIMING lost ground when crowded for room after passing the winning post on the first occasion between GENERAL DINO and BULB ELITE which was taken out by EVER STRONG which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SHINEALOT. In the early stages, EVER STRONG was steadied to obtain cover. Near the 1000 Metres, DRAGON COMMANDER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHINEALOT. Throughout the race, BULB ELITE travelled wide and without cover and after the 1000 Metres was allowed to improve its position, however, continued to race wide and without cover. After the 1000 Metres, GENERAL DINO was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 600 Metres, DAILY CHAM lay out and bumped the hindquarters of THE FULL BLOOM. Rounding the Home Turn, DAILY CHARM raced tight between THE FULL BLOOM which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BULB ELITE and SKY GEM which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, SHINEALOT and EVER STRONG made contact as a result of SHINEALOT shifting out to obtain clear running. This resulted in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 100 Metres, N Callan (GENERAL DINO) dropped his whip. PROUD SKY shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. When questioned, K C Leung (THE FULL BLOOM) stated that, from a wide barrier, he was asked to obtain a position in about midfield with cover if possible. He said THE FULL BLOOM began very well and therefore he allowed it to continue forward as having regard to the manner in which it began he did not believe he would be able to obtain a midfield position without being left racing very wide. He said he anticipated that CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE would cross KEEP WINNING and lead which would allow THE FULL BLOOM to race outside KEEP WINNING, however, when CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE was not able to cross KEEP WINNING, this resulted in THE FULL BLOOM racing wide and without cover until after the 800 Metres at which stage the horse was able to obtain cover behind BULB ELITE. He said THE FULL BLOOM was then very awkwardly placed close to the heels of BULB ELITE rounding the Home Turn as that horse came under heavy pressure. He said this resulted in THE FULL BLOOM being taken back through the field and it was not until at the entrance to the Straight that he was able to shift to the outside of BULB ELITE. He added the manner in which THE FULL BLOOM began today was the principal reason for the horse racing more prominently than had been intended. When THE FULL BLOOM was taken back through the field, SHINEALOT, which was following, was awkwardly placed behind that horse and unable to improve until near the 400 Metres. When questioned, Apprentice C Wong (KEEP WINNING) stated that he was asked to ride his mount positively in the early stages and clear FORTUNE BUDDY which had drawn barrier 1 and then obtain a trailing position behind the leaders if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode KEEP WINNING along in the early stages and was able to cross FORTUNE BUDDY passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said he then took hold of KEEP WINNING with a view to obtaining a trailing position behind CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE, however, when that horse continued to race outside KEEP WINNING, this resulted in KEEP WINNING being required to lead the race. A veterinary inspection of BULB ELITE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON COMMANDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHINEALOT, TURF BRILLIANT and CIRCUIT NUMBER ONE were sent for sampling.