28/02/2021  Shatin  Race 10

NEW FUTURE shifted in at the start and bumped NOBLE STEED. After this, NOBLE STEED and NEW FUTURE raced tight. Shortly after the start, UNIVERSAL HERO shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of COMPASSION SPIRIT. SACRED IBIS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1100 Metres, KYRUS UNICORN got its head up when awkwardly placed behind ISLAND SHINE. KASI FARASI was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 350 Metres was directed to the inside of NOBLE STEED to obtain clear running. Then close to the finishing line, KASI FARASI was shifted out away from the heels of UNCLE STEVE. When questioned, A Hamelin stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to obtain a more forward position than usual on XIANG YIN as it was felt that shifting the horse across behind runners in the early stages would leave XIANG YIN with too much work to do in the Straight. He said he was also asked to attempt to obtain cover behind the speed if possible. He said after riding XIANG YIN positively in the early stages, he was initially able to obtain a position three wide with cover behind REGENCY BO BO approaching the 1100 Metres. He said however that when REGENCY BO BO improved to be racing outside the lead, this resulted in XIANG YIN travelling wide and without cover from the 1000 Metres. He added XIANG YIN did not travel strongly at any stage and after coming under pressure in the early part of the Straight then gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages. Mr F C Lor, the trainer of XIANG YIN, confirmed the instructions were for XIANG YIN to be ridden in a more forward position if the horse began well. He said he was of the opinion that horses which were ridden towards the front half of the field had been advantaged in today’s races and therefore shifting XIANG YIN across runners in the early stages would have resulted in the horse having to make up too much ground in the Straight. He said it was hoped that XIANG YIN would be able to obtain cover behind the speed, however, due to the circumstances of the race XIANG YIN was left racing wide and without cover in the early stages and because of this was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of XIANG YIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SILVER EXPRESS and UNCLE STEVE were sent for sampling.