01/01/2022  Shatin  Race 1

LUCKY MISSILE was crowded for room on jumping between DAILY CHARM and WAH MAY LUCK, both of which shifted ground. LUCKY MISSILE then shifted in and bumped DAILY CHARM which in turn shifted in and inconvenienced OH BRAVO. From a wide barrier, WONDERFUL FANTASY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 900 Metres, LEGEND GOES was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, DIAMOND STAR became unbalanced when improving into tight running inside OH BRAVO. After the 700 Metres, DAILY CHARM was steadied away from the heels of WAH MAY LUCK which itself was awkwardly placed behind LEGEND GOES. LUCKY MISSILE, which was following DAILY CHARM, shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in SKY GEM being inconvenienced. After the 400 Metres, OH BRAVO raced tight inside DAILY CHARM which improved to the inside of WAH MAY LUCK. RIGHTEOUS WIN had difficulty obtaining clear running from approaching the 300 Metres until after the 200 Metres. After the 300 Metres, DIAMOND STAR was crowded for room when improving into tight running between INCREDIBLE and WEALTHY EMPLOYEE which at this time was racing tight to the inside of CENTENARY IBIS which shifted in marginally. DIAMOND STAR then became unbalanced when continuing to race in restricted room between WEALTHY EMPLOYEE and INCREDIBLE until passing the 250 Metres. OH BRAVO had some difficulty obtaining clear running when awkwardly placed behind LEGEND GOES passing the 200 Metres. OH BRAVO was then steadied when disappointed for running between LEGEND GOES and CENTENARY IBIS near the 150 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of INCREDIBLE, M L Yeung stated that the horse did not travel as well today in the middle stages as it had previously when ridden by him. He said after obtaining a trailing position behind the lead near the 900 Metres, INCREDIBLE came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and did not quicken in the early part of the Straight as it did when racing well in recent starts. He said INCREDIBLE stayed on one-paced approaching and passing the 300 Metres but then gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of INCREDIBLE immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of INCREDIBLE, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, INCREDIBLE 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 regarding the performance of WAH MAY LUCK, J Moreira stated that he was not able to offer any reason for the horse’s failure to close off the race. He said WAH MAY LUCK commenced to travel keenly after the 1000 Metres due to the moderate tempo which resulted in the horse being awkwardly placed close to the heels of RIGHTEOUS WIN approaching the 900 Metres and having to be steadied away from the heels of that horse near the 850 Metres. He said he was able to shift away from the heels of RIGHTEOUS WIN near the 800 Metres to follow LEGEND GOES and then when shifted to the outside of that horse after the 500 Metres WAH MAY LUCK immediately came under pressure. He added WAH MAY LUCK did not respond to his riding in the Straight and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of WAH MAY LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of OH BRAVO and CENTENARY IBIS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INCREDIBLE, MISTER MONTE and LIGHT MY DAY were sent for sampling.