20/02/2022  Shatin  Race 6

JOYFUL HEART shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MISSION BRAVO. CORDYCEPS TWO began awkwardly. LOTUS FAVORITES was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Approaching the 1500 Metres, EMBARKED was awkwardly placed inside the heels of LEADING FORTUNE. After the 1500 Metres, CITY LEGEND was steadied away from the heels of LEADING FORTUNE which shifted in after being awkwardly placed inside the heels of RED ELYSEES. After being ridden along from a wide barrier in the early stages to obtain a forward position, RIGHT AS RAIN was steadied after the 1500 Metres to obtain cover when racing wide. After the 1100 Metres, RED ELYSEES and JOYFUL HEART were left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, CITY LEGEND got its head up when awkwardly placed behind LEADING FORTUNE. Rounding the Home Turn, BEAUTY SPIRIT was awkwardly placed behind CORDYCEPS TWO. LIGHT OF WANSHI had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 400 Metres was shifted in away from the heels of MOONLUCK to obtain clear running. Passing the 400 Metres, CORDYCEPS TWO got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of MISSION BRAVO. CORDYCEPS TWO then shifted out towards the heels of RED ELYSEES. Then when giving ground, CORDYCEPS TWO was steadied away from the heels of RED ELYSEES approaching the 300 Metres which shifted in when momentarily racing tight inside LEADING FORTUNE. LOTUS FAVORITES had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 400 Metres and near the 250 Metres was directed to the inside of LIGHT OF WANSHI. Near the 350 Metres, MOONLUCK was shifted in away from the heels of MISSION BRAVO which shifted in under pressure before being corrected. Passing the 300 Metres, TURQUOISE ALPHA was directed to the outside of CITY LEGEND after being disappointed for running between that horse and CORDYCEPS TWO which shifted out when giving ground. When TURQUOISE ALPHA shifted out, JOYFUL HEART was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence and subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of JOYFUL HEART was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL HEART 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, H T Mo stated that DRAGON COMMANDER was making an abnormal breathing noise during the race. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON COMMANDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. As this was the second consecutive occasion that DRAGON COMMANDER had finished tailed out, the Stewards ruled that that horse must undergo a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. Also after the race, V Borges stated that after obtaining a forward position in the early stages, CORDYCEPS TWO came under pressure passing the 600 Metres and then in the Straight gave ground noticeably. A veterinary inspection of CORDYCEPS TWO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CORDYCEPS TWO, which finished towards the rear of the field as a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CORDYCEPS TWO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EMBARKED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LIGHT OF WANSHI, LEADING FORTUNE and RIGHT AS RAIN were sent for sampling.