10/01/2021  Shatin  Race 4

QUICK REPLY jumped in at the start and bumped JOYFUL HEART which in turn shifted in and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of LIGHT OF WANSHI which in turn resulted in VECTOR being crowded to its inside. From the outside barrier, GOLDEN FOUR was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From a wide barrier, WINNING STEED was also steadied soon after the start to obtain cover. Leaving the 700 Metres, LIGHT OF WANSHI was steadied away from the heels of JOYFUL HEART. After leaving the 600 Metres, SUPERB DADDY raced tight between WINNING STEED and JOYFUL HEART which improved to the outside of the heels of MULTIPLE STAR. Then at the entrance to the Straight, WINNING STEED was bumped by SUPERB DADDY (N Callan) which shifted to the outside of the heels of PEARL CHAMPION to improve. N Callan was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 100 Metres, LIGHT OF WANSHI was steadied when tightened for room between UNIVERSAL RECORD and SUPERB DADDY which shifted in under pressure. N Callan was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount. When questioned, J Moreira stated that GREEN ENVY had not displayed a lot of pace in its earlier races, however, at its last start the horse was able to jump well and take advantage of an inside barrier in Class 5 company. He said with the horse being up in class today and from an awkward barrier, he was not issued with any specific instructions, therefore he rode GREEN ENVY from the barriers and immediately assessed whether it was available for him to find a position forward of midfield. He said when a number of runners to his inside were ridden for speed, he elected to steady GREEN ENVY to obtain cover rather than run the risk of being exposed and racing wide and without cover. He said he was able to shift in and obtain cover behind SUPERB DADDY in the early stages and GREEN ENVY travelled well throughout the middle stages. He added after being brought to the outside immediately upon straightening, GREEN ENVY closed off the race well. After the race, Z Purton stated that after racing wide and without cover passing the 900 Metres, WINNING STEED lost balance when bumped by SUPERB DADDY on straightening. He said although he was then obliged to steady WINNING STEED away from the heels of SUPERB DADDY when that horse shifted out again under pressure at the 300 Metres, WINNING STEED was a beaten horse at the time and did not close off the race. A veterinary inspection of WINNING STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREEN ENVY, SPEED FAY FAY and PEARL CHAMPION were sent for sampling.