05/09/2021  Shatin  Race 4

WISHFUL THINKER was slow to begin . As the start was effected, SPARKLING DRAGON bounded in the air and began very awkwardly and in doing so shifted out and bumped ELUSIVE STATE, causing both horses to become unbalanced. RATTAN shifted out at the start and bumped LUCKY PATCH. BUDDIES shifted out on jumping and bumped SHINING ACE. Then from a wide barrier, SHINING ACE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, CALIFORNIA RAD and NABOO ATTACK bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 400 Metres, DUKE WAI raced tight inside LUCKY PATCH which lay in, resulting in both horses making contact. Near the 50 Metres, RATTAN was shifted in away from the heels of CALIFORNIA RAD. Throughout the race, LUCKY PATCH travelled wide and without cover. After the race, A Badel stated that after beginning only fairly, he rode TOURBILLON DIAMOND along in the early stages to have the horse improve its position which included slapping it down the shoulder with the whip. He said despite riding TOURBILLON DIAMOND along, his mount was reluctant to maintain its position inside WISHFUL THINKER passing the 900 Metres. He said he then continued to ride his mount along in the middle stages and it was not until after shifting TOURBILLON DIAMOND to the outside of runners in the early part of the Straight that the horse commenced to respond to his riding. He said after this TOURBILLON DIAMOND finished off the race strongly. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SPARKLING DRAGON immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SPARKLING DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NABOO ATTACK and LUCKY PATCH were sent for sampling.