07/03/2021  Shatin  Race 6

BRILLIANT CHINA shifted out at the start and bumped GLADSOME RYDER. Then from the outside barrier, GLADSOME RYDER was shifted across behind runners. After this, BRILLIANT CHINA was ridden along for some distance to obtain a forward position. GOLDEN LINK shifted out at the start and brushed GOLDEN FOUR. From a wide barrier, RUN DES RUN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1350 Metres, ULTIMATE GLORY was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of BEST FOR YOU when crowded for room inside OSCAR GLORY which, after initially being directed in by SO WE JOY, then got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse. Passing the 900 Metres, CALIFORNIA LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, SO WE JOY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of OSCAR GLORY when disappointed for running between that horse and ULTIMATE GLORY which shifted out. In this incident, SO WE JOY and ULTIMATE GLORY bumped. SO WE JOY then had difficulty obtaining clear running until after the 300 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, GOLDEN LINK got its head on the side and lay in. TAKINGUFURTHER had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 250 Metres. When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau stated that as there appeared to be not much speed engaged in today’s race, he was asked to ride PLIKCLONE positively in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said it was anticipated that CALIFORNIA LEGEND would be ridden along to take up a forward position and it was hoped that PLIKCLONE would be able to shift across with that horse to either race outside CALIFORNIA LEGEND or be able to take a trailing position behind the speed with cover. He said in accordance with his instructions he began well on PLIKCLONE and was travelling better than CALIFORNIA LEGEND in the early stages, which, despite being ridden along, was not showing as much early speed as was anticipated. He said because of this he allowed PLIKCLONE to improve forward of runners to its inside and obtain the lead passing the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PLIKCLONE, SO WE JOY and GOLDEN LINK were sent for sampling.