01/07/2022  Shatin  Race 6

M M NEBULA bumped the outside of its gate on jumping, resulting in the horse beginning awkwardly and losing ground. HA LEE CHARM shifted in at the start and bumped LIGHT OF WANSHI (M Chadwick). After the race, M Chadwick stated that despite being aggressively ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, LIGHT OF WANSHI would not stretch out and when becoming detached from the field became unbalanced approaching the 1200 Metres. He said he continued to ride LIGHT OF WANSHI along, however, the horse would not improve its position and remained detached until near the 600 Metres at which time he was able to improve to race at the rear of the field. The Stewards decided that as this was the second straight occasion that LIGHT OF WANSHI has tailed off in its races in the early and middle stages, the horse will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials prior to being permitted to race again. KARUIZAWA shifted out on jumping and bumped UNITED ENDEAVORS. From the outside barrier, WIN WIN was steadied in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, YOUNG EXPLORER was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. YOUNG EXPLORER lost its right front plate after the 1200 Metres. Near the 950 Metres, YOUNG EXPLORER was steadied away from the heels of JAZZ STEED which itself was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. When being steadied away from the heels of JAZZ STEED, YOUNG EXPLORER shifted out and bumped WIN WIN. After this, JAZZ STEED travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, M M NEBULA got its head up and lost ground when awkwardly placed behind STUNNING IMPACT. NICHOLSON RETURNS was shifted out away from the heels of M M NEBULA in consequence, causing YOUNG EXPLORER to be crowded for room inside WIN WIN. Passing the 700 Metres, NICHOLSON RETURNS raced tight between JAZZ STEED and M M NEBULA which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, LIGHT OF WANSHI was shifted out away from the heels of JAZZ STEED to continue improving. ALL IS GOOD travelled wide and without cover throughout. After the race, L Hewitson stated that it was intended for NICHOLSON RETURNS, which was dropping back in distance to 1400 Metres today, to be ridden in as a forward position as possible. He said despite being ridden along in the early stages NICHOLSON RETURNS did not show early speed on today’s track and he felt that the track conditions combined with the tempo of the race over 1400 Metres resulted in the horse being unable to obtain a forward position and then not travelling well at any stage of the race. A veterinary inspection of NICHOLSON RETURNS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HA LEE CHARM and M M NEBULA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NICHOLSON RETURNS, PEAK TO PEAK and WIN WIN were sent for sampling.