20/01/2021  Happy Valley  Race 1

JOY N FUN LEGEND was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, THE JOY OF GIVING was shifted across behind runners soon after the start. H W Lai (YOUNG GLORY) was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in approaching the first turn after the 2100 Metres, resulting in FORTUNE PATROL being steadied and shifting in, causing crowding to SKY GEM which was hampered. JOY N FUN LEGEND, which was following, was also inconvenienced. Passing the 1300 Metres, JOY N FUN LEGEND commenced to race keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed near the heels of FORTUNE PATROL. On the Home Turn, FORTUNE PATROL became unbalanced when awkwardly placed on the heels of STAR WIN which came under heavy pressure and commenced to lose ground. Upon straightening, Apprentice K H Chan (SKY GEM) momentarily dropped his left rein. When questioned regarding his riding of SKY GEM, Apprentice K H Chan stated that he was instructed not to bustle the horse from the inside barrier and to endeavour to shift away from the rail and position the horse such that he might be able to make a mid-race move if the pace allowed. He said it was anticipated that this would have SKY GEM racing behind midfield. He said approaching the first turn he allowed GENERAL DINO to cross and was intending to shift to the outside of that horse, however, after receiving some crowding inside of FORTUNE PATROL, SKY GEM settled further back than he had hoped. He said whilst the pace in the early stages was moderate, it did quicken from after the 1200 Metres and after leaving the 900 Metres he noticed that STAR WIN and HAY RUN commenced to make a forward move from behind the leaders, therefore he chose not to push forward at this stage as he felt it best to make ground gradually and follow the speed. He said approaching the 600 Metres he commenced to ride SKY GEM along and after the 500 Metres was required to pull the whip on the horse as it did not quicken as he anticipated. He added after being brought to the outside on straightening, SKY GEM closed off the race well. Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions given to Apprentice Chan and anticipated that the horse would settle behind midfield with the opportunity to make a mid-race move if the pace permitted. He said as the pace quickened appreciably along the Back Straight, he was content with Apprentice Chan’s decision not to try to go forward at that stage given the increase in tempo. Trainer A T Millard explained that at its last start he issued instructions for FORTUNE PATROL to be ridden prominently as the 1800 Metre starting point at Sha Tin provides a long run to the first turn. He said from an awkward barrier tonight and with only a short run to the first turn from the 2200 Metre starting point, he asked Jockey V Borges to ride the horse along in the early stages and try to obtain cover behind midfield. He said he felt this would provide FORTUNE PATROL with the best opportunity to perform to its optimum tonight as if it were to be ridden once again to obtain a prominent positon, he did not feel as though the horse could muster sufficient speed in the short run to the first turn and would likely be left racing wide and without cover. After the race, J Moreira (STAR WIN) stated that in pre-race discussions with Trainer D J Whyte, it was agreed that from a position near midfield, he should shift out and make a forward move along the Back Straight as it was felt that the horse may be able to build momentum and close off better than it had been. He said after being brought to the outside near the 900 Metres, HAY RUN also shifted out which forced STAR WIN wider and, despite being hard ridden for some distance, the horse was not able to quicken sufficiently to clear runners to his inside. He added as a consequence STAR WIN came under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn and consequently weakened badly in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of STAR WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, K Teetan reported that SOCKET ELITE took up a forward position as intended. He said the sustaining strong pace from mid-race did not suit the horse as it came under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn and did not close off the race as expected. A veterinary inspection of SOCKET ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHINEALOT, PRETTY BAUHINIA and NUREMBERG were sent for sampling.