14/02/2021  Shatin  Race 1

FORTUNE TRIPLE was crowded for room on jumping between ENJOYABLE SUCCESS and SUCCESS ALLSTARS which shifted out. JOLLY FOREVER began awkwardly and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from wide barriers, THE JOY OF GIVING and YOU HAVE MY WORD were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. After the 1500 Metres, HAY RUN was steadied when crowded for room inside WICKER (H T Mo) which shifted in before being directed out abruptly to relieve the tightening to HAY RUN. When WICKER was directed out, NUREMBERG was inconvenienced. H T Mo was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 1300 Metres, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was shifted out away from the heels of STAR WIN after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. After this, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS travelled wide and without cover. Then passing the 1000 Metres, ENJOYABLE SUCCESS was allowed to improve its position, however, continued to race wide and without cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, STAR WIN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FORTUNE TRIPLE. After the 800 Metres, SUCCESS ALLSTARS momentarily raced tight between ENJOYABLE SUCCESS and HAY RUN which shifted to the outside of WICKER. Approaching the 600 Metres, SMART THINKER raced in restricted room between FORTUNE TRIPLE and FORTUNE PATROL which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMAZING AGILITY. This resulted in FORTUNE PATROL becoming unbalanced when having to be steadied away from the heels of AMAZING AGILITY. Passing the 500 Metres, FORTUNE PATROL was steadied away from the heels of WICKER. FORTUNE PATROL and AMAZING AGILITY then raced tight at the entrance to the Straight as FORTUNE PATROL shifted out from behind WICKER. FORTUNE PATROL was then held up for clear running until approaching the 200 Metres at which stage the horse was shifted to the outside of HAY RUN to obtain clear running. After the race, N Callan stated that in the early stages he had to make more use of NUREMBERG to cross runners to its inside to take up a forward position. He said this was the only reason he could offer for the horse’s failure to finish off the race as anticipated. He added he is of the view that NUREMBERG may be better suited by tracks with more give than that of today’s. A veterinary inspection of NUREMBERG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, C Soumillon was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SMART THINKER. He said after being able to obtain a good position from the outside barrier, SMART THINKER was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SMART THINKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of YOU HAVE MY WORD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KUNGFUMASTER PANDA and AMAZING AGILITY were sent for sampling.