29/12/2021  Shatin  Race 2

THE ROCK began only fairly. From the outside barrier, WILL POWER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1400 Metres, RED DESERT commenced to travel keenly and became unbalanced when awkwardly placed behind SILVER EXPRESS. Approaching the 1200 Metres, SILVER EXPRESS raced tight between CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and KINGS SHIELD. Near the 1000 Metres, SILVER EXPRESS was shifted in away from the heels of KINGS SHIELD after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. THE ROCK, which was racing to the inside of SILVER EXPRESS, became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by that horse. TELECOM FIGHTERS travelled wide and without cover until after the 900 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, SILVER EXPRESS shifted in away from the heels of KINGS SHIELD and bumped the hindquarters of WILL POWER. When questioned regarding the performance of KINGS SHIELD, K C Leung stated that, despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, KINGS SHIELD did not show sufficient early speed to be able to cross SILVER EXPRESS to its inside until near the 1100 Metres. He said this resulted in KINGS SHIELD having to race in a three wide position until that point. He said after crossing SILVER EXPRESS near the 1100 Metres, KINGS SHIELD was then not able to relax due to TELECOM FIGHTERS improving to its outside. He said rather than continuing to engage in a speed battle to maintain his position outside the lead, he elected, given the good tempo of the race in the early stages, to allow TELECOM FIGHTERS to cross KINGS SHIELD. He said he then shifted KINGS SHIELD directly to the outside of TELECOM FIGHTERS as his mount was reluctant to face the kickback. He said he had to commence to ride KINGS SHIELD along after the 700 Metres as the horse was not travelling well. He added, despite being ridden along, KINGS SHIELD gave ground and as the horse was well beaten rounding the Home Turn, he did not persist in riding it out over the latter stages of the race. He attributed tonight’s performance to the fact that KINGS SHIELD was not able to lead on the rail as it did at its last start when successful on the All Weather Track. A veterinary inspection of KINGS SHIELD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KINGS SHIELD, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KINGS SHIELD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, V Borges reported that the only reason he could find for SILVER EXPRESS’ disappointing run tonight was that it did not handle the All Weather track at the first time of asking. He said the horse travelled well in the early and middle stages before coming under heavy pressure after the 700 Metres. He said despite being ridden along rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, SILVER EXPRESS was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SILVER EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, J Moreira was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of THE ROCK which he said did not finish off the race as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of THE ROCK immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, THE ROCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. THE ROCK, WILL POWER and CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT were sent for sampling.