16/01/2022  Shatin  Race 2

NICHOLSON RETURNS got its head up on jumping and then lost further ground when crowded for room between CIRCUIT SPLENDOR and SCIENCE PATCH, both of which shifted ground. After this, SCIENCE PATCH was steadied to obtain cover. COMMON ROOM and BOYS PARTY bumped on jumping. COUNTRY BOY was crowded for room on jumping between FANTASY and GOLDEN EMPIRE which shifted in. After this, from wide barriers, GOLDEN EMPIRE and COUNTRY BOY were steadied to obtain cover. For a considerable distance in the early and middle stages, CIRCUIT SPLENDOR proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when initially racing awkwardly behind PACKING AWARD after the 1000 Metres and then behind BOYS PARTY for some distance after the 800 Metres. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, NATURAL GOLD raced close to the heels of STREET SCREAM, shifted out and raced tight inside TRUST ME. Approaching the 800 Metres, TRUST ME raced close to the heels of CIRCUIT SPLENDOR when that horse was travelling keenly and being checked away from the heels of BOYS PARTY. TRUST ME had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, STREET SCREAM lay in and was reluctant to improve into tight running between PACKING AWARD and BOYS PARTY. SCIENCE PATCH was held up for clear running until approaching the 250 Metres at which time the horse shifted out and bumped NICHOLSON RETURNS. SCIENCE PATCH was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of FANTASY until passing the 200 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, STREET SCREAM shifted out and bumped BOYS PARTY. Passing the 150 Metres, TRUST ME was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GOLDEN EMPIRE which shifted in under pressure. Throughout the race, FANTASY travelled wide and without cover and for the majority of the race COMMON ROOM also travelled wide and without cover. After the race, it was noted that NATURAL GOLD had blood at the left nostril. A veterinary examination of NATURAL GOLD found that horse to have sustained a small cut to the left nostril with no blood being found in the trachea. Accordingly, NATURAL GOLD was not deemed to have bled. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT SPLENDOR 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, CIRCUIT SPLENDOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of COMMON ROOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN EMPIRE and STREET SCREAM were sent for sampling.