14/02/2021  Shatin  Race 3

CIRCUIT HERO began very awkwardly and got its head up on a number of occasions and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between SPARKY STAR which was taken out by CIGARY and LIGHT OF WANSHI which shifted in after brushing NEW FUTURE. After this, SPARKY STAR, CIRCUIT HERO and NEW FUTURE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SHADOW RUNNER shifted out at the start and brushed KELMIMI WINS. TAKINGUFURTHER stumbled at the start. A short distance after the start, CIGARY shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GOLD COMET. After the 1200 Metres, KELMIMI WINS got its head up when racing close to the heels of SHADOW RUNNER. Also after the 1200 Metres, CIRCUIT HERO, which was travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of GOLD COMET and bumped NEW FUTURE which shifted in. After this, CIRCUIT HERO commenced to prove very difficult to settle, resulting in CIRCUIT HERO being checked away from the heels of LIGHT OF WANSHI for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. When racing close to the heels of LIGHT OF WANSHI, NEW FUTURE, which was racing outside CIRCUIT HERO, was bumped on a number of occasions. NEW FUTURE and CIRCUIT HERO then raced tight making the turn after the 900 Metres and again passing the 700 Metres. CIRCUIT HERO, when continuing to race tight with NEW FUTURE, shifted in passing the 650 Metres and bumped GOLD COMET. TAKINGUFURTHER got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. Passing the 200 Metres, CIGARY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SHADOW RUNNER when improving into tight running between that horse which shifted out marginally and ALL YOU KNOW. After this, CIGARY had difficulty obtaining clear running between SHADOW RUNNER and ALL YOU KNOW and over the concluding stages was steadied away from the heels of ALL YOU KNOW which was racing tight inside TAKINGUFURTHER. Consequently CIGARY was not able to be properly tested over the concluding stages. For the majority of the race, NEW FUTURE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of LIGHT OF WANSHI passing the 600 Metres, A Badel stated that after the 600 Metres he commenced to position LIGHT OF WANSHI to the outside of the heels of DANDY YEARS with a view to improving around that horse rounding the Home Turn. He said as he commenced to shift out, DANDY YEARS quickened better than LIGHT OF WANSHI which was somewhat flat-footed at this stage. He said when LIGHT OF WANSHI quickened, NEW FUTURE, which had been racing behind LIGHT OF WANSHI, improved its position around his mount and as LIGHT OF WANSHI was beaten for speed at this stage, this resulted in LIGHT OF WANSHI not being able to improve to the outside of DANDY YEARS before NEW FUTURE was able to improve its position around his mount. A Badel added that, in his opinion, he would have had to ride LIGHT OF WANSHI aggressively in order to attempt to obtain the position to the outside of DANDY YEARS and as this was occurring after the 600 Metres and prior to the 500 Metres, he elected to remain racing behind DANDY YEARS and then shift to the outside of NEW FUTURE in the early part of the Straight. He said after being unable to obtain clear running passing the 400 Metres, he was able to shift LIGHT OF WANSHI out into clear running prior to the 300 Metres. A Badel was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner as to secure more advantageous positions wherever appropriate circumstances exist. A veterinary inspection of SHADOW RUNNER and GOLD COMET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KELMIMI WINS immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. SUPER TEN, DANDY YEARS and NEW FUTURE were sent for sampling.