19/04/2020  Shatin  Race 10

HIGHLAND FORTUNE kicked out just prior to the start being effected and consequently began only fairly. HIGHLAND FORTUNE and KUNGFUMASTER PANDA were then crowded for room on jumping between JUNEAU PARK and TRIPLE TRIPLE which shifted in. From wide barriers, PURE LEGEND and MONSTER KAKA were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. A short distance after the start, GOOD BEAUTY received contact from MIGHTY GIANT which was bumped by SONIC FIGHTER which shifted in after stumbling at the start. After this, both GOOD BEAUTY and MIGHTY GIANT were hard ridden to obtain a forward position, however, both horses were slow to muster speed. Due to GOOD BEAUTY and MIGHTY GIANT being ridden along in the early stages, SONIC FIGHTER was left racing very wide after the 1300 Metres and was then steadied for some distance to obtain a position with cover closer to the rail. After the 1100 Metres, TRIPLE TRIPLE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 500 Metres, MONSTER KAKA was taken wider as that horse improved to be racing outside the heels of SONIC FIGHTER which at this time was taken wider by JUNEAU PARK (J Moreira) which shifted out to obtain clear running. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Also near the 500 Metres, GOOD BEAUTY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of TRIPLE TRIPLE which shifted in marginally before being directed back out. Near the 400 Metres, BEAUTY ICON shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of SONIC FIGHTER. Near the 350 Metres, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA raced tight inside LIGHT MY DAY which shifted in before being directed back out. Approaching the 200 Metres, BEAUTY ICON had difficulty obtaining clear running and after the 200 Metres shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of MONSTER KAKA when improving into tight running between that horse and JUNEAU PARK. MONSTER KAKA then became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in BEAUTY ICON racing in restricted room between MONSTER KAKA and JUNEAU PARK. MONSTER KAKA and BEAUTY ICON again bumped near the 150 Metres. When questioned, K C Leung (BEAUTY ICON) stated that, from a wide barrier, he was instructed to obtain a midfield position with cover if possible. He said it was explained to him that when ridden in a handy position last start, the horse travelled too keenly and because of this was disappointing over the concluding stages. He said in accordance with his instructions he began positively on BEAUTY ICON and commenced to shift across with runners to his inside in the early stages. He said due to the field being bunched approaching the 1200 Metres, he steadied his mount when racing wide to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said when he did this BEAUTY ICON initially got its head up and travelled keenly. He said that after the 1200 Metres he was able to commence shifting BEAUTY ICON across closer to the rail, however, the horse continued to travel somewhat keenly. He said after the 1000 Metres MONSTER KAKA was racing in a three wide position behind SONIC FIGHTER and as he anticipated that that horse would maintain a three wide position, he further steadied BEAUTY ICON to race behind that horse. He said as he did this MONSTER KAKA then shifted in to race in a one-off position, however, when this occurred he had already committed to shift to the inside of that horse. He said after following JUNEAU PARK in the early part of the Straight he shifted to that horse’s outside near the 200 Metres. He added after obtaining clear running BEAUTY ICON then finished off the race well. A veterinary inspection of GOOD BEAUTY, THUNDER STOMP and LIGHT MY DAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIGHTY GIANT and SMOOTHIES were sent for sampling.