05/12/2021  Shatin  Race 6

UNICORNBABY and TURQUOISE ALPHA bumped at the start. PINS PRINCE began awkwardly and brushed the inside of its gate before shifting in and bumping BEST FOR YOU. BEST FOR YOU then shifted in away from PINS PRINCE, resulting in NOBLE STEED being crowded for room outside TURQUOISE ALPHA. NIMBLE NIMBUS shifted in at the start and bumped MILLENNIUM FALCON which was crowded for room outside EASY FORTUNE which shifted out. From the outside barriers, BOOMING WELL and THE MULTIPLIER were steadied to obtain cover in the early stages. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, MILLENNIUM FALCON travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EASY FORTUNE which approaching the 900 Metres was steadied to obtain cover behind JOYFUL GENIUS. Passing the 1000 Metres, THE MULTIPLIER was bumped and taken wider by BEST FOR YOU which shifted out away from the heels of MILLENNIUM FALCON. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, JADE PHOENIX shifted in and bumped UNICORNBABY, resulting in JADE PHOENIX becoming unbalanced. Near the 650 Metres, NIMBLE NIMBUS was taken wider and without cover by JOYFUL GENIUS which shifted out to follow JADE PHOENIX. After this, NIMBLE NIMBUS and JOYFUL GENIUS raced tight. PINS PRINCE had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 400 Metres was shifted to the inside of UNICORNBABY to obtain clear running. MILLENNIUM FALCON and TURQUOISE ALPHA were held up for clear running after the 400 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, NOBLE STEED was shifted to the outside of SUNNY DELIGHT after being disappointed for running to the inside of that horse. After this, SUNNY DELIGHT gave ground. After the race, K C Leung stated that, in his opinion, the circumstances of today’s race had resulted in SUNNY DELIGHT not being able to finish off the race. He said after obtaining a forward position, SUNNY DELIGHT was taken on in the lead by UNICORNBABY and JADE PHOENIX to its outside which resulted in SUNNY DELIGHT not being able to relax as he had hoped. He added SUNNY DELIGHT made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly and then came under pressure prior to the Home Turn. He said, despite being ridden along in the Straight, SUNNY DELIGHT did not respond to his riding and was not able to close off. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, M Chadwick stated that it was intended for JADE PHOENIX to obtain a trailing position behind UNICORNBABY, the anticipated leader of the race. He said as he was shifting across to obtain a position behind UNICORNBABY passing the 1100 Metres, JOYFUL GENIUS was ridden to obtain a position inside JADE PHOENIX which resulted in JADE PHOENIX racing wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of JADE PHOENIX immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MILLENNIUM FALCON and PINS PRINCE were sent for sampling.