17/04/2021  Shatin  Race 8

FARM BUMPER and MERCURIAL began only fairly. FOCUS shifted out at the start and bumped SUPERB DADDY which in turn bumped DRAGON FORTUNE, causing that horse to become unbalanced. After this, SUPERB DADDY was steadied to obtain cover. CHARGE ON bumped the hindquarters of ZONE D on jumping, resulting in ZONE D becoming unbalanced. After this, from a wide barrier, CHARGE ON was shifted across behind runners. From the outside barrier, RUN DES RUN was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, AMAZING KNIGHT was crowded for room between SPEED FAY FAY and IRON KING which got its head on the side and lay in away from SO AWESOME. Approaching the 900 Metres, FARM BUMPER was crowded for room inside SPEED FAY FAY which got its head on the side and lay in away from the heels of SO AWESOME. AMAZING KNIGHT, which was following FARM BUMPER, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence and shifted out, resulting in FLYING SWORD being crowded for room inside IRON KING. Passing the 900 Metres, IRON KING was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 850 Metres, CHARGE ON shifted out away from the heels of ZONE D. CHARGE ON then raced in restricted room between ZONE D which shifted out and RUN DES RUN near the 750 Metres. Passing the 650 Metres, IRON KING and SPEED FAY FAY raced tight as SPEED FAY FAY attempted to improve outside SO AWESOME. Then passing the 600 Metres, SPEED FAY FAY was steadied away from the heels of SO AWESOME when unable to improve outside that horse. FARM BUMPER had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 400 Metres, AMAZING KNIGHT was steadied after racing in restricted room between SPEED FAY FAY and FARM BUMPER which, after shifting to the outside of FOCUS, then had difficulty obtaining clear running. The performance of FOCUS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FOCUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FOCUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, B Shinn reported that SUPERB DADDY did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race and did not stretch out in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of SUPERB DADDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SUPERB DADDY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, K Teetan (MERCURIAL) reported that after beginning only fairly, he had to ride his mount along in the early stages to make up lost ground. He said MERCURIAL travelled only fairly and came under pressure passing the 600 Metres. He said he had to ride his mount along aggressively rounding the Home Turn, however, MERCURIAL did not respond to his riding and then in the Straight gave ground. He added he was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of MERCURIAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of IRON KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. UNICORNBABY and DRAGON FORTUNE were sent for sampling.