01/01/2021  Shatin  Race 10

ROYAL BOMB shifted out at the start and made contact with MIGHTY VALOR which in turn made contact with SOARING TOWER. PEGASUS GLORY began awkwardly and shifted in, resulting in LOOKING GREAT being inconvenienced. From wide barriers, GREAT TREASURE, HEZA BEAUTY and HARMONY SPIRIT were all steadied and shifted across behind runners soon after the start. BELUGA was also steadied in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain cover, however, was left racing wide and without cover from the 900 Metres. On the Home Turn, DIAMOND BRILLIANT was bumped by NOTHING NEW which shifted around the heels of PEGASUS GLORY to improve. At the 350 Metres, DIAMOND BRILLIANT shifted out and made contact with BELUGA. Then after being awkwardly placed inside the heels of BELUGA which shifted in approaching the 250 Metres before being corrected, DIAMOND BRILLIANT was inconvenienced due to ROYAL BOMB shifting out under pressure. HARMONY SPIRIT had difficulty obtaining clear running from on straightening until passing the 200 Metres where it was directed to the inside of NOTHING NEW. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, LOOKING GREAT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PEGASUS GLORY when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Approaching the 100 Metres, NOTHING NEW was steadied when crowded for room between E STAR and DIAMOND BRILLIANT (M Chadwick) which shifted in. M Chadwick was advised to exercise more care. Approaching the finishing line, HARMONY SPIRIT was steadied when again held up behind MIGHTY VALOR which was weakening. A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY VALOR immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MIGHTY VALOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, K Teetan stated that SOARING TOWER was able to take up a reasonable position midfield behind DIAMOND BRILLIANT. He said approaching the 600 Metres when BELUGA commenced to improve to his outside, he allowed SOARING TOWER to shift out from behind DIAMOND BRILLIANT to improve with BELUGA as he did not want to be pocketed behind that horse. He said no sooner had he done this, SOARING TOWER came off the bit and did not let down as he anticipated it would. He added SOARING TOWER was particularly disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of SOARING TOWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SOARING TOWER, favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOARING TOWER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SOARING TOWER, ROYAL BOMB and BELUGA were sent for sampling.