13/09/2020  Shatin  Race 4

ADONIS lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly. ADONIS was then bumped by SOCCER MASTER which was taken in by HAPPY HOUR which was in turn taken in by GOLDEN GENERAL which began awkwardly and shifted in. HAPPY HOUR was then steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. GALAXY RACER, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and then on jumping bumped TARGET FINDER. From wide barriers, BLAZING PARTNERS and WONDER WIN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 900 Metres, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE and ADONIS raced tight. BLAZING PARTNERS had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 300 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between GOLDEN GENERAL and EVER STRONG, both of which shifted ground. Passing the 300 Metres, SHINEALOT was shifted to the outside of LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT as that horse improved into tight running inside MASTER GALAXY. Throughout the race, GOLDEN GENERAL travelled wide and without cover. After the race, M F Poon was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SOCCER MASTER. He said he was able to obtain a trailing position behind ADONIS in the early stages and SOCCER MASTER travelled as though it would finish off the race. He said approaching the 500 Metres he shifted SOCCER MASTER to the outside of ADONIS and commenced to ride his mount along, however, SOCCER MASTER did not quicken and then, despite being ridden out in the Straight, was disappointing in the manner in which it did not respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of SOCCER MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SOCCER MASTER, winner of its last two races, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOCCER MASTER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of GALAXY RACER, J Moreira stated that when travelling behind the eventual winner WINWIN THIRTYTHREE in the early and middle stages, GALAXY RACER travelled well and he anticipated that the horse would be able to finish off the race. He said when WINWIN THIRTYTHREE improved into clear running, that horse was able to quicken away from GALAXY RACER which was left flat-footed. He said after this GALAXY RACER was only one-paced and, in his opinion, was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of GALAXY RACER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON BOLT immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. ADONIS, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE and MASTER GALAXY were sent for sampling.