10/01/2021  Shatin  Race 10

BEAUTY JOY and ENRICH DELIGHT were slow to begin. RACING FIGHTER got its head up on jumping and was then steadied and shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, PRECIOUSSHIP was also steadied and shifted across behind runners soon after the start. When travelling keenly approaching the turn near the 900 Metres, BEAUTY SMILE shifted out off the heels of TSAR, resulting in WINNING METHOD, which was travelling very wide and without cover, being forced wider still. WINNING METHOD continued to race wide and without cover throughout the middle stages and consequently gave ground in the Straight. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, BEAUTY JOY got its head up and was awkwardly placed behind NOT USUAL TALENT. At the 350 Metres, ENRICH DELIGHT was disappointed for running between AMAZING CHOCOLATE and BAND OF BROTHERS which shifted out after being brushed by LUCKY PATCH which improved into tight running between BEAUTY LEGACY and BAND OF BROTHERS. ENRICH DELIGHT remained held up until approaching the 200 Metres. Approaching the 100 Metres, WINNING METHOD was steadied when tightened for room between EXCELLENT PROPOSAL which shifted in slightly and PRECIOUSSHIP which improved to the outside of the tiring AMAZING CHOCOLATE. Throughout the race, AMAZING CHOCOLATE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that he was asked to ride BEAUTY SMILE with cover if possible and it was anticipated that this would be in midfield or slightly in advance of midfield. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages to assess whether he might be able to shift in and obtain cover, however, when a number of runners maintained their position to his inside, this initially resulted in BEAUTY SMILE racing four wide albeit with cover behind AMAZING CHOCOLATE. He said therefore he steadied BEAUTY SMILE and shifted in to race behind TSAR which resulted in the horse settling slightly further back than had been intended. When questioned regarding the performance of EXCELLENT PROPOSAL, J Moreira stated that in accordance with the horse’s normal racing pattern, he did not ride it along in the early stages, hoping to find cover near midfield. He said after leaving the 1200 Metres he shifted in to race one horse away from the rail on the back of ENRICH DELIGHT with EXCELLENT PROPOSAL then travelling comfortably through the middle stages. He said however he was obliged to commence riding EXCELLENT PROPOSAL along approaching the Home Turn to remain racing on the back of ENRICH DELIGHT and immediately upon straightening he shifted the horse out around the heels of WINNING METHOD and gained a clear run. He added EXCELLENT PROPOSAL gave only a limited response and then was disappointing in its failure to close off the race as it normally does. He added on pulling up EXCELLENT PROPOSAL appeared normal in its action and he could detect no abnormalities with the horse. Trainer J Size explained that EXCELLENT PROPOSAL had pleased him in its track work and barrier trials leading into today’s race and the only excuse he could offer was that the horse was racing first up after a break of more than three months. A veterinary inspection of EXCELLENT PROPOSAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of WINNING METHOD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING CHOCOLATE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. NOT USUAL TALENT and LUCKY PATCH were sent for sampling.