20/06/2021  Shatin  Race 5

FAST MOST FURIOUS, TSAR and CHARITY FUN were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 350 Metres, FAST MOST FURIOUS was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. Near the 300 Metres, PLAYA DEL PUENTE was momentarily steadied away from the heels of FAST MOST FURIOUS when racing in restricted room between that horse and COLUMBUS COUNTY, both of which shifted ground. Near the 150 Metres, CHARITY FUN raced tight inside the heels of BUTTERFIELD which got its head on the side and lay in. Approaching the 100 Metres, A Badel (FAST MOST FURIOUS) dropped his whip. As this was the 4th occasion this season that A Badel was reported to have dropped his whip in races, he was fined the sum of $5,000. At the 50 Metres, FAST MOST FURIOUS and COLUMBUS COUNTY bumped. When questioned, H W Lai (RELIABLE TEAM) said prior to the race he was asked to take up a forward position outside or behind the anticipated leader TIME WARP. He said it was explained to him that RELIABLE TEAM is one-paced and therefore to ensure that the horse was not left flat-footed in the race. He said given that RELIABLE TEAM does not possess a good turn of foot and as the horse was carrying a very light weight, he commenced to ride his mount along passing the 600 Metres to see whether he would be able to establish a break over SOUTHERN LEGEND which he considered to be the best chance in the race and having regard to that horse being required to carry a much heavier weight. He added whilst this resulted in RELIABLE TEAM having to make a more sustained run than is usually the case, he believed that riding the horse in this manner provided RELIABLE TEAM with the best opportunity to be competitive at the end of the race. A veterinary inspection of TSAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COLUMBUS COUNTY, SOUTHERN LEGEND and RELIABLE TEAM were sent for sampling.