16/05/2021  Shatin  Race 5

Whilst being loaded, SUPER FLAMES became momentarily fractious, resulting in M L Yeung being dislodged without incident. SUPER FLAMES was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. FANTASTIC SHOW was slow to begin and then despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages became detached from the field. From wide barriers, ALL YOU KNOW, GREEN ENVY and SAM’S LOVE were all steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, GREEN ENVY, which was travelling keenly, was steadied away from the heels of GALAXY EMPEROR which was being steadied to obtain cover. Then at the 1050 Metres, GREEN ENVY, which continued to travel keenly, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of GALAXY EMPEROR. Also passing the 1100 Metres, APEX TOP was eased away from the heels of SUPER MISSION which got its head on the side and shifted in away from GOLDEN BOLT. GALAXY EMPEROR lost its right hind plate at the 1000 Metres. Approaching the 800 Metres, CHARIZARD was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 800 Metres, BRANDING POWER was hampered when being steadied away from the heels of GOLDEN BOLT which lost ground when being crossed by INCREDIBLE. At the entrance to the Straight, SAM’S LOVE was checked away from the heels of GOLDEN BOLT as SAM’S LOVE attempted to improve to the outside of that horse which was directed to the outside of INCREDIBLE. As the Stewards were of the opinion that SAM’S LOVE had not improved to be racing to the outside of GOLDEN BOLT at this time, no further action was taken. ALL YOU KNOW was held up for clear running after the 400 Metres. SUPER MISSION lay out rounding the Home Turn. SAM’S LOVE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GOLDEN BOLT for some distance after the 300 Metres and then approaching and passing the 200 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 75 Metres, ALL YOU KNOW shifted out abruptly, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount. The performance of INCREDIBLE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, INCREDIBLE 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 INCREDIBLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on GALAXY EMPEROR but not to lead as it was felt that the horse performs best when able to obtain cover. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to clear CHARIZARD to its inside. He said when GALAXY EMPEROR was not able to show sufficient speed to clear CHARIZARD, he steadied GALAXY EMPEROR after the 1300 Metres to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He added after shifting in behind CHARIZARD near the 1100 Metres, CHARIZARD itself was steadied which resulted in GALAXY EMPEROR being taken back in the field and racing further back than had been intended. He said nonetheless GALAXY EMPEROR finished off its race strongly. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPER MISSION, K C Leung attributed the disappointing run to the fact that the race was run at a much faster tempo than at its last start when the horse was able to take up a forward position relatively easily. He said SUPER MISSION had to work in the early stages to clear runners to its inside. He said SUPER MISSION travelled only fairly in the middle stages and after coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn then weakened over the concluding stages. He said in addition to the work that SUPER MISSION had to do in the early stages, he felt that the horse may not have appreciated the "Good to Firm” surface today as it did not travel comfortably as it did at its last start. A veterinary inspection of SUPER MISSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GREEN ENVY and APEX TOP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER MISSION, FANTASTIC SHOW and GALAXY EMPEROR were sent for sampling.