05/09/2021  Shatin  Race 1

VIVA POPCORN was slow to begin. THIS IS CHARISMA, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and lost a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, THIS IS CHARISMA will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SMART HUNTER began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, FIGURES TWO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. From wide barriers, DAZZLING FEELING and JOLLY FOREVER were also shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, SHANGHAI GRACE was slow to muster speed and throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, OFF THE REEL was steadied away from the heels of GENERAL TRUMP (B Shinn) which shifted in when not quite clear. B Shinn was advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Making the first turn near the 850 Metres, JUNGLE BLAZE raced in restricted room between GENERAL TRUMP and OFF THE REEL which shifted in. SHINEALOT and SMART HUNTER, which were following, were inconvenienced in consequence. After the 700 Metres, SMART HUNTER lay out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ALL BEST FRIENDS. Passing the 500 Metres, FIGURES TWO was awkwardly placed behind DAZZLING FEELING which was taken out by JOLLY FOREVER. After this, DAZZLING FEELING lay out away from JOLLY FOREVER, resulting in FIGURES TWO being inconvenienced. SHINEALOT was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. At the 400 Metres, FORMULA EXCEL attempted to improve into tight running between OFF THE REEL and SHANGHAI GRACE which got its head on the side and lay out rounding the Home Turn. After brushing SHANGHAI GRACE shortly after entering the Straight, FORMULA EXCEL got its head on the side and lay in and was checked when disappointed for running between OFF THE REEL and SHANGHAI GRACE (C Wong) which shifted in. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that FORMULA EXCEL had not properly established running between OFF THE REEL and SHANGHAI GRACE and that FORMULA EXCEL had contributed to the incident by laying in, nonetheless C Wong was advised that even in difficult circumstances he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. THIS IS CHARISMA, which was following FORMULA EXCEL, was held up for clear running behind that horse in consequence. After the race, J Moreira stated that, in his opinion, FORMULA EXCEL’s failure to finish off the race was directly attributable to having to be checked near the 400 Metres. He said at this stage FORMULA EXCEL was travelling well and he believed that had the horse been able to obtain the run between OFF THE REEL and SHANGHAI GRACE, it would have finished in a better position. A veterinary inspection of FORMULA EXCEL immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FORMULA EXCEL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 350 Metres, SHINEALOT was steadied when disappointed for running between ALL BEST FRIENDS which shifted in marginally and SHANGHAI GRACE which shifted out marginally when commencing to give ground. A veterinary inspection of DAZZLING FEELING immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of THIS IS CHARISMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FORMULA EXCEL, VICTORIOUS LEADER and VIVA POPCORN were sent for sampling.