17/10/2021  Shatin  Race 1

GO GO SIXTEEN began only fairly, shifted out on jumping and bumped DRAGON COMMANDER which became unbalanced. RED ELYSEES shifted out at the start, resulting in KUNGFUMASTER PANDA being bumped and taken out onto NUREMBERG which was crowded for room inside EZRA. After this, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA and NUREMBERG were steadied and shifted across behind runners from wide barriers. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, RED ELYSEES failed to muster speed and approaching the winning post on the first occasion was steadied to obtain cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, DRAGON COMMANDER got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain cover behind GO GO SIXTEEN. When being steadied to obtain cover, DRAGON COMMANDER shifted out and bumped JOYFUL HEART. Also passing the winning post on the first occasion, EZRA, which was racing wide, was steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 1700 Metres, GO GO SIXTEEN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of TAILOR MADE. Passing the 1600 Metres, JOYFUL HEART was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1600 Metres, TAILOR MADE travelled keenly in the lead. Approaching the 300 Metres, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA and RED ELYSEES bumped. Passing the 300 Metres, GO GO SIXTEEN, which was commencing to give ground, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of AWE which shifted to the outside of DAILY CHARM to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, AWE was crowded for room between JOYFUL HEART and DAILY CHARM (M Chadwick) which shifted out under pressure. M Chadwick was reprimanded and told to ensure that in future he straightens his mounts sooner than he did on this occasion. Near the 75 Metres, DAILY CHARM shifted out abruptly and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AWE. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DRAGON COMMANDER, J Moreira stated that it was felt that DRAGON COMMANDER would have sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to its inside in the early stages. He said despite being ridden along shortly after the start, DRAGON COMMANDER did not show sufficient speed to be able to cross GO GO SIXTEEN and AWE and therefore he elected to steady his mount and obtain a trailing position behind those horses. He said as he steadied DRAGON COMMANDER, that horse got its head up on a number of occasions, but after obtaining cover behind GO GO SIXTEEN then relaxed well. He said DRAGON COMMANDER travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would finish off the race strongly. He said however that DRAGON COMMANDER came under pressure passing the 600 Metres and then did not respond to his riding at any stage. He added he continued to ride DRAGON COMMANDER vigorously in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse gave ground and as it was well beaten, he eased it down over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON COMMANDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DRAGON COMMANDER, favourite for today’s race and which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON COMMANDER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, A Badel (GO GO SIXTEEN) stated that approaching the 1200 Metres his mount was racing in a two wide position behind DAILY CHARM. He said after the 1200 Metres he became aware that JOYFUL HEART was commencing to improve its position outside GO GO SIXTEEN and he was following DAILY CHARM, a horse he considered to be somewhat one-paced, he was concerned that if he remained racing behind DAILY CHARM and allowed JOYFUL HEART to improve forward of GO GO SIXTEEN, this may make it difficult for him to secure clear running later in the race. He said as the pace of the race was only moderate at this stage, he elected to shift GO GO SIXTEEN to the outside of DAILY CHARM so that the horse would not lose momentum were it to be boxed in by other runners. He said this resulted in GO GO SIXTEEN racing three wide and without cover near the 1000 Metres. He added GO GO SIXTEEN came under pressure prior to the 500 Metres and then in the Straight weakened out of the race noticeably over the latter stages. He said although GO GO SIXTEEN was required to race wide and without cover in the middle stages, he still felt that the horse was disappointing given that it came under pressure so far from the finishing line. He said based on the manner in which GO GO SIXTEEN ran today, he did recommend to connections that they consider dropping the horse back in distance in its future starts. A veterinary inspection of GO GO SIXTEEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that NUREMBERG was found to have sustained a right front tendon injury. The performance of NUREMBERG, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NUREMBERG will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of TAILOR MADE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DRAGON COMMANDER, GOD OF DRAGON and EZRA were sent for sampling.