13/12/2020  Shatin  Race 2

SCENIC SWEETIE shifted out at the start and bumped NORDIC WARRIOR. CRUCIATUS lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between PLIKCLONE which shifted out and MULTIPLE STAR which was taken in by STAY CHILL which shifted in. After this, STAY CHILL and MULTIPLE STAR were steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, CHARIZARD was also steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. Passing the 1300 Metres, CRUCIATUS was bumped by AUTHENTIC CHAMP (C Y Ho) which shifted out a number of horses. C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances to prevent horses making unnecessary contact with other runners. After this, CRUCIATUS commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up for some distance when racing ungenerously and close to the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY approaching and passing the 1100 Metres. In this incident, CRUCIATUS shifted in and bumped AUTHENTIC CHAMP passing the 1100 Metres. AUTHENTIC CHAMP then continued to race tight inside CRUCIATUS approaching and passing the 1000 Metres as that horse continued to race ungenerously. After being steadied from a wide barrier in the early stages, THE BEST HERO was left racing wide and without cover near the 900 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, AUTHENTIC CHAMP raced tight inside CRUCIATUS which lay in. Also passing the 600 Metres, CHARIZARD was awkwardly placed behind STAY CHILL. NORDIC WARRIOR had some difficulty obtaining clear running at the entrance to the Straight. At the entrance to the Straight, CHARITY GRACE shifted out and brushed STUNNING IMPACT. Near the 350 Metres, AUTHENTIC CHAMP momentarily raced tight when improving into restricted room between STUNNING IMPACT and CHARITY GRACE which shifted out. CHARITY GRACE and AUTHENTIC CHAMP then raced tight passing the 300 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, CHARITY GRACE was struck over the nose by the whip of C Y Ho when continuing to race tight inside AUTHENTIC CHAMP. After the 200 Metres, STUNNING IMPACT raced tight inside ULTIMATE GLORY which shifted in. Over the concluding stages, CHARITY GRACE was awkwardly placed behind PLIKCLONE and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. J Moreira (ULTIMATE GLORY) was fined the sum of $5,000 for using his whip forward of the saddle on a number of occasions over the final 200 Metres. When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was asked to ride PLIKCLONE in about a midfield position with cover if possible. He said it was felt that today’s race would not be run at a good tempo and as PLIKCLONE was carrying a light weight it was acceptable to him to allow the horse to improve into a forward position if he was not able to obtain cover in the early stages and was likely to be racing wide. He said in accordance with his instructions he attempted to obtain a position just forward of midfield with cover, however, due to the circumstances of the race in the early stages, PLIKCLONE was left racing wide and without cover and therefore he elected to allow PLIKCLONE to improve to race outside the lead after the 1000 Metres. He added the horse was able to obtain this position without having to be ridden along and then in the Straight finished off the race well. AUTHENTIC CHAMP and PLIKCLONE were sent for sampling.