12/02/2022  Shatin  Race 1

After being loaded into the barriers, SPEEDY DRAGON became fractious, reared and momentarily got its left front leg into the adjoining stall. SPEEDY DRAGON was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. BOOMING WELL began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of SPEEDY DRAGON. GO GO SIXTEEN lost ground on jumping after becoming unbalanced as a result of bumping APEX TOP. ZACIAN began awkwardly and then got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. SEIZE THE SPIRIT began awkwardly and after being brushed by DIVINE ERA shifted in, resulting in INGENIOUS FELLOW being inconvenienced. Then from a wide barrier, INGENIOUS FELLOW was shifted across behind runners. MISSION SMART shifted out at the start and bumped BIG BANG BONG. MISSION SMART was then taken across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, MUDITA shifted in and bumped APEX TOP. SUNNY BABY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, BOOMING WELL got its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEEDY DRAGON. After the 900 Metres, AFTER ME was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, ZACIAN raced tight outside WINWIN THIRTYTHREE which improved to the outside of AFTER ME. Then approaching the 300 Metres, ZACIAN and WINWIN THIRTYTHREE raced tight. BOOMING WELL had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. INGENIOUS FELLOW lay out under pressure in the early part of the Straight. At the 350 Metres, APEX TOP shifted out and bumped AFTER ME which became unbalanced. Approaching the 200 Metres, SUNNY BABY had some difficulty obtaining clear running and passing the 200 Metres was directed to the inside of BOOMING WELL. Passing the 200 Metres, MISSION SMART shifted in and bumped INGENIOUS FELLOW. After the race, M Chadwick (BIG BANG BONG) stated that after being instructed to obtain a forward position from the outside barrier, he had to ride his mount along for a considerable distance in the early stages in order to comply with his instructions. A veterinary inspection of MISSION SMART and SUNNY BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BOOMING WELL, DIVINE ERA and SEIZE THE SPIRIT were sent for sampling.