21/11/2021  Shatin  Race 10

SPEEDY MOUSE shifted out at the start and bumped TEAM SPIRIT. SPEEDY MOUSE then lost ground when crowded for room between TEAM SPIRIT which became unbalanced and shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters and STOCK LEGEND which shifted out. BABY shifted out at the start and bumped NAMJONG SINGS. PACKING LAD bumped the inside of its gate on jumping, resulting in the horse beginning only fairly. NEARLY FINE began only fairly and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From wide barriers, CARROLL STREET and ALCARI were also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. A short distance after the start, NEVER TOO SOON shifted in and brushed DUBLIN STAR which shifted in away from NEVER TOO SOON, resulting in PACKING LAD being steadied away from the heels of DUBLIN STAR in consequence. After the 700 Metres, NAMJONG SINGS was taken wider by PACKING LAD which shifted out away from the heels of STOCK LEGEND which got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 500 Metres, NAMJONG SINGS raced tight outside NEVER TOO SOON which improved to the outside of STOCK LEGEND. Then rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, NEVER TOO SOON and NAMJONG SINGS raced tight as NAMJONG SINGS attempted to shift out from behind BABY when that horse commenced to give ground. When unable to shift to the outside of BABY, this resulted in NEVER TOO SOON being awkwardly placed behind that horse for some distance approaching and passing the 400 Metres. Approaching the 300 Metres, BABY, which was continuing to give ground, was momentarily eased away from the heels of STOCK LEGEND which shifted out. Throughout the race, BABY travelled wide and without cover. After the race, J Moreira (PACKING LAD) stated that after being loaded into the barriers, he observed that one of the ear plugs fitted to the horse had dislodged. He said rather than have PACKING LAD race with only one ear plug, he removed the remaining ear plug which resulted in the horse not racing with that piece of equipment in today’s race. Also after the race, K Teetan stated that when under pressure in the Straight, DUBLIN STAR changed stride on a number of occasions and did not feel comfortable in its action. He said however that when returning to the unsaddling area, DUBLIN STAR appeared to be sound in its action. A veterinary inspection of DUBLIN STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, DUBLIN STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CARROLL STREET, NEVER TOO SOON and PACKING LAD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and ENNEA FORTUNE were sent for sampling.