29/11/2020  Shatin  Race 5

MASTER HERO began awkwardly and then was crowded for room on jumping between LIGHT MY DAY and BUNDLE OF DELIGHT which shifted out. From wide barriers, DECISIVE ACTION, TELECOM ELITE and GLORIOUS LOVER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Rounding the Home Turn, EVER LAUGH raced tight outside RIGHTEOUS WIN which shifted out to obtain clear running. LEADING FORTUNE was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn. Approaching the 300 Metres, RIGHTEOUS WIN was bumped and taken wider by GLORIOUS LOVER (A Badel) which shifted out. RIGHTEOUS WIN was then awkwardly placed outside GLORIOUS LOVER approaching the 250 Metres as that horse continued to shift out. A Badel was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. Then passing the 200 Metres, RIGHTEOUS WIN was steadied when racing in restricted room between GLORIOUS LOVER and EVER LAUGH which was taken in by LEADING FORTUNE (C Schofield). C Schofield was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Throughout the race, HAPPY WIN WIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MASTER HERO , J Moreira stated that the horse, which was stepping up in distance to 1600 Metres today, over-raced for some distance in the early and middle stages. He said it was not until after the 700 Metres that MASTER HERO commenced to settle better and after shifting to the outside of PAKISTAN FRIEND passing the 500 Metres initially quickened satisfactorily. He said however that MASTER HERO came under pressure after the 300 Metres and after initially staying on one-paced then gave ground over the final 200 Metres to finish at the rear of the field. He added that in his opinion MASTER HERO’s failure to settle in the early stages was the principal reason for it not being able to finish off the race, particularly given that the horse was up in distance. A veterinary inspection of MASTER HERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MASTER HERO, favourite for today’s race and which finished near the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER HERO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, T Piccone (SEAWEED FORTUNE) stated that after being left racing wide and without cover after the 900 Metres, SEAWEED FORTUNE came under pressure and then did not finish off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SEAWEED FORTUNE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY WIN WIN immediately following the race found that horse to have an intermittent displacement of the soft palate. MASTER HERO, ALL FOR ST PAUL’S and LEADING FORTUNE were sent for sampling.