23/04/2023  Shatin  Race 2

NUNCHUKS shifted in at the start and brushed FAST BUCK. FORTUNE PRESIDENT jumped only fairly. BILLIONAIRE SECRET jumped awkwardly and lost ground and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, HIGH CLOUD shifted out and bumped KING’S CAPITAL. KING’S CAPITAL was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the middle stages, ASIAN ONE raced keenly and near the 800 Metres shifted out to follow HIGH CLOUD, resulting in DARCI LEGEND (L Hewitson) being taken wider. In this incident, ASIAN ONE and DARCI LEGEND made contact as L Hewitson endeavoured to hold his position behind HIGH CLOUD. When unable to hold his position, DARCI LEGEND was then attempted to obtain a trail behind ASIAN ONE, however, was unable to do so when BILLIONAIRE SECRET improved to the inside of DARCI LEGEND and as a result was left racing very wide thereafter. L Hewitson was warned in relation to the practice of shifting his body weight excessively inwards in an attempt to hold his position behind HIGH CLOUD. For a short distance near the 400 Metres, AMAZING TEENS became held up when disappointed for clear running between FAST BUCK and IRON WILL. Again near the 200 Metres, AMAZING TEENS became held up as it continued to endeavour to improve between FAST BUCK and IRON WILL and did not obtain clear running until near the 100 Metres. Then over the concluding stages, AMAZING TEENS was inclined to lay out under pressure. HIGH CLOUD raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. A veterinary inspection of HIGH CLOUD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the improved performance of IRON WILL as compared to its last start at Happy Valley on 15 March 2023, Trainer C S Shum advised that whilst he did not issue any specific instructions to race outside the lead, in his opinion, IRON WILL was suited today by racing outside the lead in what was a slowly run race and as a result was able to finish the race off better than it did at its most recent start. AMAZING TEENS, IRON WILL and FAST BUCK were sent for sampling.