20/06/2021  Shatin  Race 2

STRONG ALLIANCE began awkwardly. DAILY CHARM began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. Making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, STRONG ALLIANCE got its head up on a number of occasions when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind CLEMENT LEGEND. Passing the 1800 Metres, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA was awkwardly placed behind MAGNETISM which was steadied to obtain cover behind EZRA. Approaching the 1700 Metres, TAILOR MADE was left racing wide and without cover and passing the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. Passing the 400 Metres, NUREMBERG was directed to the inside of STRONG ALLIANCE after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was asked to have NUREMBERG racing where it was comfortable. He said prior to the race he believed that NUREMBERG would be able to show sufficient speed to obtain a forward position, however, it was left to him to decide on where the horse should be ridden depending on the speed that it showed in the early stages. He said he was aware that NUREMBERG had finished off the race well at its last start when ridden from a rearward position, however, given the make-up of today’s race, he was of the belief that NUREMBERG would possess sufficient speed to be able to take up a more forward position. He said he rode his mount along for some distance in the early stages in an endeavour to take up a forward position, however, in his opinion, NUREMBERG was not showing sufficient speed to be able to clear runners to its inside without him having to make a considerable amount of use of his horse. He added, given the manner in which NUREMBERG was finishing off the race at its most recent start from back in the field, he elected to steady his mount passing the winning post on the first occasion and obtain cover behind PLAY WISE rather than continue to ride the horse along to take up a forward position. He said NUREMBERG was not suited by the slow tempo of the race when ridden back in the field and because of this was not able to finish off the race. Mr A S Cruz, trainer of NUREMBERG, confirmed that he had not issued any explicit instructions on where the horse should be ridden in today’s race, but was of the belief that if the horse began well and showed early speed, then it would be ridden in a forward position, however, if it was not to begin well, he was equally comfortable for the horse to be ridden quietly given the manner in which it finished off its last race. He said after viewing the race, he was satisfied that Jockey Moreira had made sufficient endeavours to obtain a forward position in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of NUREMBERG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, A Badel stated that he was asked to ride MCMUNIGAL patiently from a wide barrier as the connections were concerned that were MCMUNIGAL to be ridden to obtain a forward position, the horse may be left racing wide and without cover if horses which were better drawn than MCMUNIGAL were able to secure a forward position. He said it was therefore believed to be in the best interests of MCMUNIGAL for the horse to be steadied in the early stages and obtain a position close to the rail to avoid having to cover unnecessary ground. Mr D E Ferraris, trainer of MCMUNIGAL, confirmed that he wished for MCMUNIGAL to be ridden quietly from a wide barrier. He said at its last start when the horse was ridden along to go forward from a similar draw, it was required to travel wide and without cover and was not able to finish off the race as well as anticipated. He said as he wished to avoid the same situation occurring in today’s race, it was felt the best option for MCMUNIGAL was for the horse to be ridden patiently in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of MCMUNIGAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BULLISH GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NUREMBERG, SWOT TROOPERS WIND and TAILOR MADE were sent for sampling.