11/10/2020  Shatin  Race 7

ALL FOR SOUTH and SMOOTHIES began only fairly. KA YING MASTER and CZARSON bumped at the start. QUADRUPLE DOUBLE began awkwardly. From wide barriers, HAPPY WARRIOR, SMART LEADER and SUNSET WATCH were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being shifted across behind runners, SUNSET WATCH proved difficult to settle for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres. Approaching the 1100 Metres, EQUALETTA BLITZ travelled keenly when being shifted across to obtain cover behind VERY SWEET ORANGE and then made the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly. Rounding the Home Turn, INNER FLAME and SMOOTHIES raced tight. Near the 350 Metres, ALL FOR SOUTH raced tight inside the heels of CZARSON. After the 300 Metres, CZARSON shifted in and inconvenienced ALL FOR SOUTH. Passing the 200 Metres, SMOOTHIES, which was giving ground, was steadied away from the heels of SMART LEADER which shifted out. Passing the 50 Metres, N Callan (SMART LEADER) dropped his left rein. Throughout the race, SMOOTHIES travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that he was instructed to ride QUADRUPLE DOUBLE in a forward position if the horse began well. He said however, carrying 133 lbs, it was felt that if QUADRUPLE DOUBLE did not begin well, too much use of the horse would have to be made to obtain a forward position given that there was anticipated good speed in the race. He said he was further instructed that if QUADRUPLE DOUBLE did not begin well enough to be able to obtain the lead relatively easily in the early stages, he should obtain a trailing position behind the speed if possible. He added QUADRUPLE DOUBLE began awkwardly and INNER FLAME and CZARSON, which were drawn immediately inside QUADRUPLE DOUBLE, showed more early speed and therefore he shifted QUADRUPLE DOUBLE behind CZARSON in the early stage to obtain cover behind that horse which was further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SMOOTHIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNSET WATCH, KA YING MASTER and SMART LEADER were sent for sampling.