24/01/2023  Shatin  Race 6

REACH GOAL shifted out at the start and bumped FOREVER GLORIOUS. SUPER HONG KONG began awkwardly. SMILING TIME was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners. Also from a wide barrier, NICHOLSON RETURNS was shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. After initially being ridden along shortly after the start, PAKISTAN FRIEND was steadied to obtain cover approaching the 1700 Metres from the outside barrier. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, RED ELYSEES failed to muster speed and passing the 1700 Metres was steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 1500 Metres, OVER THE MOON shifted in and inconvenienced TYCOON JEWELLERY. Then near the 1400 Metres, BOOM ALLIANCE brushed the running rail after being bumped on the hindquarters by FOREVER GLORIOUS which was steadied away from the heels of TYCOON JEWELLERY (V Borges) which, after being crowded for room inside OVER THE MOON, then shifted in. V Borges was reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more of an endeavour to assist his fellow riders than he did on this occasion. After the 900 Metres, FOREVER FOLKS was left racing wide and without cover. SMILING TIME had some difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn. Rounding the Home Turn, FOREVER FOLKS became unbalanced after being bumped by HELENE ALLIBOR which was racing tight outside OVER THE MOON which shifted out. FOREVER GLORIOUS, which was following FOREVER FOLKS, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse in consequence when racing tight inside REACH GOAL. HELENE ALLIBOR and FOREVER FOLKS again bumped on entering the Straight, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 150 Metres and again near the 100 Metres, WINNING STEPS and SMILING TIME raced tight. Then close to the finishing line, WINNING STEPS shifted in and inconvenienced SMILING TIME. After the race, K H Chan stated that he was asked to ride OVER THE MOON more positively today given that the horse had experienced trouble in obtaining clear running at its last start when ridden from towards the rear of the field. He said after riding his mount along for a short distance after the start, he attempted to steady OVER THE MOON to obtain cover passing the 1700 Metres, however, after being unable to do so, he allowed his mount to continue on into the lead passing the 1400 Metres. Also after the race, PERFECT MARYKNOLL was noted to have bled from the left nostril. An endoscopic examination of PERFECT MARYKNOLL confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. A veterinary inspection of BOOM ALLIANCE, FOREVER FOLKS, SUPER HONG KONG and FOREVER GLORIOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NICHOLSON RETURNS and SMILING TIME were sent for sampling.