17/04/2021  Shatin  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that LEADING FORTUNE had blood in its mouth. LEADING FORTUNE was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. AWE was slow to begin. DAILY CHARM shifted out at the start and bumped CHEERFUL STAR. MORE THAN A HORSE lost ground shortly after the start when buffeted for room between EXALTATION and STUNNING IMPACT, both of which shifted ground. From wide barriers, SMART COUSIN and EZRA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1550 Metres, MORE THAN A HORSE got its head up when awkwardly placed behind JOYFUL HEART. AWE travelled keenly after the 1400 Metres and commenced to prove very difficult to settle passing the 700 Metres and was checked away from the heels of EXALTATION. Passing the 600 Metres, LEADING FORTUNE and EXALTATION raced tight as LEADING FORTUNE shifted out from behind STUNNING IMPACT. LEADING FORTUNE then raced tight between EXALTATION and STUNNING IMPACT after the 600 Metres. This resulted in LEADING FORTUNE and STUNNING IMPACT bumping passing the 550 Metres. STUNNING IMPACT was then awkwardly placed passing the 500 Metres between LEADING FORTUNE and DAILY CHARM which shifted out. JOYFUL HEART, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of STUNNING IMPACT in consequence. H N Wong, the rider of SMART COUSIN, dropped his whip after passing the 50 Metres. Close to the finishing line, STUNNING IMPACT was awkwardly placed behind LEADING FORTUNE and consequently was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. For the majority of the race, EXALTATION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Y Ho (STUNNING IMPACT) stated that after racing outside and behind DAILY CHARM along the Back Straight, he attempted to improve his position after the 900 Metres to make up the ground between his mount and the leaders. He said STUNNING IMPACT immediately came under pressure and he had to ride his mount along stronger after the 800 Metres to try and improve his position. He said STUNNING IMPACT came under heavy pressure prior to the 600 Metres and would not respond to his riding. He said because of the manner in which STUNNING IMPACT raced in the middle stages, he recommended to connections that they consider adding blinkers to the gear of the horse in its future starts. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of EZRA, J Moreira stated that after shifting his mount across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages, EZRA was taken wider on a number of occasions after the 800 Metres as he attempted to improve his position. He said after making some ground near the 600 Metres, EZRA came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and got its head on the side and lay out. He said, despite being ridden along in the early part of the Straight, EZRA did not respond to his riding and then failed to finish off the race. He added EZRA did not stretch out in the Straight and did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of EZRA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, EZRA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Z Purton stated that JOYFUL HEART was not suited by the slow tempo of the race in the early and middle stages. He said JOYFUL HEART was not able to get into a rhythm during the race and because of this was not able to quicken when placed under pressure and subsequently did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards opened an inquiry into V Borges’ riding of DAILY CHARM for a considerable distance after the 1600 Metres. After taking evidence from V Borges and Mr C S Shum, the trainer of the horse, the Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a date to be fixed. JOYFUL HEART, SHANGHAI DRAGON and DAILY CHARM were sent for sampling.