01/07/2021  Shatin  Race 6

DRAGON COMMANDER and RED ELYSEES bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, JOYFUL HEART was crowded for room between STUNNING IMPACT and TAILOR MADE which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by JOYFUL HEART. Passing the 300 Metres, HANG’S DECISION was shifted in away from the heels of DIVINE UNICORN which was giving ground. Passing the 150 Metres, STUNNING IMPACT was hampered when shifted in away from the heels of TAILOR MADE (M F Poon) which shifted in under pressure. M F Poon was reprimanded and told to ensure that he makes more endeavour than he did on this occasion to keep his mounts on a straight line. Close to the finishing line, STUNNING IMPACT was awkwardly placed inside the heels of TAILOR MADE. For the majority of the race, both DIVINE UNICORN and DIONYSUS COLLIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H N Wong (OFF THE REEL) stated that he was instructed to ride the horse in about a midfield position and with cover if at all possible. He said OFF THE REEL, which was stepping up in distance to 1800 Metres for the first time today, began awkwardly and he immediately commenced to shift his mount across with a view to obtaining cover. He said due to the manner in which OFF THE REEL began, he believed he would have had to restrain the horse in an attempt to obtain a midfield position and given the positioning of horses which were better drawn than OFF THE REEL in the early stages, it would likely have left him racing wide and without cover, therefore he allowed OFF THE REEL to continue forward and race outside the lead after the 1600 Metres which was in a more forward position than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of SHADOW BREAKER immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, SHADOW BREAKER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DIVINE UNICORN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained a minor laceration to the right hind cannon. STUNNING IMPACT, DRAGON COMMANDER and TAILOR MADE were sent for sampling.