26/12/2020  Shatin  Race 7

CHEERFUL DAYS was slow to begin. SUN OF MAKFI shifted in at the start and made contact with ROBOT WARRIOR. From wide barriers, LEADING FORTUNE, STAY CHILL and DECISIVE ACTION were all shifted across behind runners soon after the start. Passing the 1100 Metres, ROBOT WARRIOR (Z Purton) commenced to prove difficult to settle, got its head up, shifted out and consequently bumped with FAST PACE. SHADOW BREAKER, which was following ROBOT WARRIOR, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the race, Z Purton reported that the fact that ROBOT WARRIOR did not settle well in the early stages resulted in the horse not closing off as strongly as anticipated. Rounding the Home Turn, TELECOM ROCKET was awkwardly placed behind CARE FREE PRINCE which came under pressure to maintain its position. Soon after straightening, LEADING FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of CHEERFUL DAYS which shifted out in order to obtain clear running. Approaching the 350 Metres, ROBOT WARRIOR was bumped by CHEERFUL DAYS which was being shifted to the outside of FAST PACE to obtain clear running. CHEERFUL DAYS and ROBOT WARRIOR then raced tight for a short distance between FAST PACE and SHADOW BREAKER as CHEERFUL DAYS fully established the run outside FAST PACE. After the 200 Metres, TELECOM ROCKET was checked when racing in restricted room between STAY CHILL and BULLETPROOF which, after being shifted to the outside of MERCURIAL, then shifted out slightly. LEADING FORTUNE was unable to obtain clear running over the final 150 Metres and as a consequence was not able to be fully tested. Approaching the finishing line, BULLETPROOF was eased away from the heels of STAY CHILL which shifted in and away from LEADING FORTUNE which shifted in when held up. The performance of CARE FREE PRINCE, which weakened in the Straight and finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CARE FREE PRINCE 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 CARE FREE PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, C Soumillon stated that after being able to obtain inside runs in the early part of the Straight, he felt that BULLETPROOF would be able to close off the race, however, he was unable to explain the horse’s disappointing effort. A veterinary inspection of BULLETPROOF immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of TELECOM ROCKET immediately following the race found that horse to have a continuous displacement of the soft palate. A veterinary inspection of ROBOT WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ROBOT WARRIOR, CASIMIRO and ALL FOR ST PAUL’S were sent for sampling.