08/01/2023  Shatin  Race 2

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE and SUPER HONG KONG were slow to begin. REACH GOAL shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of DARCI JOY, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. REACH GOAL was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. Also from the outside barriers, NICHOLSON RETURNS and SMILING TIME were steadied on jumping to obtain cover. Passing the 1300 Metres, BOOM ALLIANCE got its head up when crowded for room inside HAPPY ANGEL which at this time was steadied away from the heels of TYCOON JEWELLERY (S De Sousa) which shifted in when not fully clear. S De Sousa was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. At the 1100 Metres, DARCI JOY was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, REACH GOAL raced tight outside HAPPY ANGEL which shifted out to obtain clear running. BOOM ALLIANCE was held up for clear running from passing the 400 Metres until at the 100 Metres at which time BOOM ALLIANCE was checked away from the heels of DARCI JOY. Because of this, BOOM ALLIANCE was not able to be properly tested. OVER THE MOON was held up for clear running from near the 300 Metres until after the 200 Metres. PRESIDENT’S CHOICE was unable to obtain clear running from approaching the 300 Metres until after the 100 Metres. Because of this, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE was not able to be properly tested. When held up for clear running, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE was checked away from the heels of HAPPY ANGEL and in doing so shifted out and bumped RED ELYSEES which became unbalanced. After being bumped by PRESIDENT’S CHOICE, RED ELYSEES was shifted to the outside of REACH GOAL to continue improving. Passing the 100 Metres, DARCI JOY and HAPPY ANGEL brushed. CHATER PINS lay out under pressure over the concluding stages. After the race, Z Purton was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of HAPPY ANGEL which he said did not finish the race off after obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY ANGEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, C L Chau stated that, in his opinion, SHANGHAI DRAGON’s failure to finish the race off over the latter stages was due to the amount of use that he had to make of the horse to obtain a forward position when the race was being run at a good tempo in the early stages. He said it was not until after the 800 Metres that the pace of the race slowed, however, by that time, in his opinion, SHANGHAI DRAGON had already had to do too much work. A veterinary inspection of SHANGHAI DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. C L Chau was also spoken to regarding using the whip in any manner on a horse when clearly out of contention. After the race, NICHOLSON RETURNS was noted to have sustained an abrasion to the right front cannon. A veterinary inspection of BOOM ALLIANCE and OVER THE MOON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY ANGEL, NICHOLSON RETURNS and CHATER PINS were sent for sampling.