09/01/2022  Shatin  Race 7

As the start was effected, THE IRISHMAN became fractious and leant up against the inside of its gate, resulting in the horse being slow to begin. After this, THE IRISHMAN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Before being allowed to race again, THE IRISHMAN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. S J TOURBILLON began only fairly. For a considerable distance in the early and middle stages, ROCKET SPADE proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when initially being steadied to obtain cover and then travelling keenly after obtaining cover behind CONQUEROR near the 1400 Metres. ROCKET SPADE then made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly and shifted out when continuing to over-race. After being shifted back in behind CONQUEROR, ROCKET SPADE was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse approaching and passing the 800 Metres. Approaching the 1100 Metres, BELUGA was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MASTER MONTARO. When questioned, J Moreira (MASTER DELIGHT) stated that after being able to obtain cover behind MASTER MONTARO making the turn near the 900 Metres, he shifted his mount to the outside of that horse and commenced to ride his mount along approaching the 600 Metres as he did not want MASTER DELIGHT to be left flat-footed when the tempo of the race increased after it was run at a slow tempo to that point of the race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CONQUEROR was a "roarer”. A veterinary inspection of S J TOURBILLON and ROCKET SPADE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER DELIGHT, BELUGA and IMA SINGLE MAN were sent for sampling.