21/02/2021  Shatin  Race 10

FLAGSHIP GLORY was slow to begin. SEVEN HEAVENS shifted in at the start and inconvenienced STAR OF YUEN LONG. From wide barriers, BELUGA and PERFECT PAIR were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1100 Metres, FLAGSHIP GLORY commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind LEWIS. V Borges (DIAMOND BRILLIANT) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance rounding the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift out, resulting in STAR OF YUEN LONG being unnecessarily crowded for room and at the 400 Metres having to be checked after losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled to the inside of KA YING EXCELLENT and outside DIAMOND BRILLIANT which shifted out. V Borges was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 10 March 2021 and to expire on Sunday, 14 March 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). WINNING FOR ALL was held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 100 Metres and consequently was not able to be properly tested. BELUGA was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and then was unable to obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres at which stage it improved into tight running between DIAMOND BRILLIANT and SEVEN HEAVENS. When improving into tight running, BELUGA got its head on the side and lay in onto SEVEN HEAVENS which was crowded for room approaching the 100 Metres. BELUGA was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to SEVEN HEAVENS passing the 100 Metres, resulting in DIAMOND BRILLIANT being momentarily inconvenienced between BELUGA and PRIME MINISTER. PRIME MINISTER had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after being disappointed for running between DIAMOND BRILLIANT and SEVEN HEAVENS passing the 300 Metres was then shifted to the outside of DIAMOND BRILLIANT near the 250 Metres to obtain clear running. PRIME MINISTER then momentarily raced in restricted room between DIAMOND BRILLIANT and KA YING EXCELLENT passing the 200 Metres. Approaching the 150 Metres, STAR OF YUEN LONG was shifted away from the heels of KA YING EXCELLENT which was giving ground. Over the concluding stages, TEMPEST EXPRESS and FLAGSHIP GLORY shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, KA YING EXCELLENT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, A Badel (PERFECT PAIR) stated that rounding the Home Turn he was taken wider by MERIDIAN GENIUS and raced tight outside that horse. He said at the entrance to the Straight he commenced to ride PERFECT PAIR along, however, passing the 400 Metres MERIDIAN GENIUS shifted out and bumped PERFECT PAIR which resulted in his mount becoming unbalanced. He said after this MERIDIAN GENIUS continued to lay out on PERFECT PAIR which resulted in it continuing to be unbalanced. He added after the 250 Metres he was able to establish a margin over MERIDIAN GENIUS and after balancing up his mount commenced to ride PERFECT PAIR along near the 200 Metres and the horse then finished off the race satisfactorily. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF YUEN LONG, KA YING EXCELLENT and TELECOM FIGHTERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TEMPEST EXPRESS and FLAGSHIP GLORY were sent for sampling.