31/01/2021  Shatin  Race 2

LITTLE GENERAL, which kicked a rail when leaving the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer upon arrival at the barriers and found to be suitable to race. RED MAJESTY and SPICY GRILL began awkwardly. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE began only fairly and then, despite being hard ridden in the early stages, failed to muster speed. FOR FUN’S SAKE was slow to begin. After beginning awkwardly, VICTORIOUS LEADER was shifted across behind runners from the outside barrier. From a wide barrier, LITTLE GENERAL was also shifted across behind runners soon after the start. After passing the 1000 Metres, SPICY GRILL was steadied away from the heels of WONDER BRAHMA (N Callan) which shifted in when not properly clear. N Callan was reprimanded. WONDER BRAHMA raced wide and without cover from the 1000 Metres and in the Straight gave ground. In the early part of the Straight, GALAXY RACER got its head on the side, lay in and was reluctant to shift out from behind WONDER BRAHMA. Then approaching the 300 Metres, GALAXY RACER was directed to the inside of the heels of WONDER BRAHMA when that horse shifted out under pressure. Leaving the 200 Metres, FOR FUN’S SAKE was awkwardly placed near the heels of RED MAJESTY when attempting to improve between that horse and GALAXY RACER. Passing the 100 Metres, SPICY GRILL was steadied away from the heels of SEIZE THE SPIRIT (T Piccone) which shifted in under pressure. T Piccone was reprimanded and told to make more effort to keep his mounts straight. After the 100 Metres, VIVA COUNCIL, which was inclined to lay out, was steadied when awkwardly placed near the heels of GOLDEN MISSION when taken out by WINWIN THIRTYTHREE which for some distance had endeavoured to improve into narrow running between VIVA COUNCIL and CITY LEGEND (Apprentice C L Chau) which shifted out under pressure. Apprentice Chau was advised to exercise more care and to be alert to his mounts shifting ground. At the 50 Metres, SPICY GRILL shifted in and made contact with FOR FUN’S SAKE. FOR FUN’S SAKE was not able to be ridden out all the way to the finishing line after improving to be racing close to the heels of SEIZE THE SPIRIT. When questioned, Z Purton (DESTIN) stated that as the pace through the early and middle stages was only moderate, he considered the best option upon straightening was to endeavour to obtain inside runs as he felt that the leaders would be able to maintain forward positions well into the Straight given the moderate tempo. He said just prior to straightening GALAXY RACER shifted out, therefore he took the opportunity to immediately improve inside the heels of that horse and placed DESTIN under pressure to improve its position. He said after making ground, there was not an available run for him and he identified GOLDEN MISSION as a horse that might be able to close off the race well, therefore he improved inside the heels of RED MAJESTY to follow GOLDEN MISSION. He said whilst a run did develop outside RED MAJESTY approaching the 300 Metres, at this stage he was well established inside the heels of that runner and it was not available for him to shift out. He said passing the 300 Metres when held up, DESTIN improved to be racing tight inside the heels of GOLDEN MISSION and when a further run developed between that horse and RED MAJESTY approaching the 200 Metres, again he was not in a position to immediately take advantage of this run as DESTIN was initially too far inside the heels of GOLDEN MISSION. He added he steadied DESTIN and shifted around the heels of that horse when the run remained available after the 200 Metres and rode the horse along for a short distance, however, approaching the 100 Metres the run closed due to GOLDEN MISSION and RED MAJESTY both shifting ground and as a consequence he was forced to check DESTIN which then remained held up for the remainder of the event. A veterinary inspection of VIVA COUNCIL, SPICY GRILL, LITTLE GENERAL and WONDER BRAHMA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CITY LEGEND, GALAXY EMPEROR and SEIZE THE SPIRIT were sent for sampling. <1/2/2021 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that GOLDEN MISSION was lame in its left hind leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN MISSION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WONDER BRAHMA, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. WONDER BRAHMA was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D J Hall this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, WONDER BRAHMA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.