31/01/2021  Shatin  Race 6

V Borges (BEAUTY RUSH) was fined $2,000 for failing to present himself in the Parade Ring by the required time. SMILING TIME was slow to begin and then stumbled soon after the start and lost further ground. HAPPY FUN began awkwardly and made contact with the hindquarters of BALLISTIC KING. HAPPY FUN lost its right front plate soon after the start. From a wide barrier, BAND OF BROTHERS was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 1200 Metres, MS ALLY was momentarily crowded for room between NOT USUAL TALENT and HAPPY FUN which got its head on the side and lay in. In this incident, MS ALLY made contact with NOT USUAL TALENT which then commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of BALLISTIC KING. WATER DIVINER, which was following, was steadied in consequence. Approaching the 1000 Metres, BEAUTY LEGACY was steadied away from the heels of HIGHLY PROACTIVE (C Y Ho) which shifted in when not properly clear. BEAUTY LEGACY then commenced to race keenly and remained awkwardly placed near the heels of HIGHLY PROACTIVE for some distance. C Y Ho was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the racing manners of BEAUTY LEGACY had exacerbated the incident, nonetheless he should have provided more clearance initially when shifting in. PERPETUUM (M F Poon) raced wide and without cover from the 1000 Metres. After the race, M F Poon advised that when racing wide and without cover in the middle stages, PERPETUUM hung in. He said PERPETUUM continued to hang in in the Straight and proved difficult to ride. Passing the 800 Metres, HIGHLY PROACTIVE got its head up and raced ungenerously when being steadied in the lead. At the 700 Metres, SMILING TIME was checked when momentarily crowded for room inside BAND OF BROTHERS which itself received momentary tightening from WINNING METHOD (A Badel) which shifted in marginally before shifting out to resume the three wide position. A Badel was advised to exercise more care and ensure that runners to his inside have comfortable racing room. At the 600 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT was steadied away from the heels of PERPETUUM which commenced to give ground. BALLISTIC KING lost its right front plate in the Straight. When questioned, J Moreira stated that after receiving crowding at the 1200 Metres, MS ALLY did not feel comfortable in its action. He said whilst he had concern regarding the horse’s action, he did not consider it sufficient to ease it down in the race, however, MS ALLY did not travel comfortably through the middle stages. He said when brought to the outside immediately upon straightening and placed under pressure, MS ALLY did not respond and therefore he did not fully test the horse over the final 200 Metres. He added after dismounting from MS ALLY, he noticed that the horse had sustained a laceration to the right stifle and this was, in his view, the likely cause for the horse’s poor action after the early crowding. A veterinary inspection of MS ALLY immediately following the race confirmed that horse to have sustained a cut to the right stifle. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY FUN immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY FUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTY SMILE and NOT USUAL TALENT were sent for sampling.