28/02/2021  Shatin  Race 6

WINNING STEED was crowded for room on jumping between PRECISION DREAM and NOBLE MAN, both of which shifted ground. EL VALIENTE became unbalanced and lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between EVER LAUGH and ALL FOR ST PAUL’S which shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. In this incident, EL VALIENTE made heavy contact with the hindquarters of EVER LAUGH which became unbalanced. BRIGHT KID was slow to begin and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barriers, AION, HAPPY WIN WIN and TOYCOON were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1400 Metres, PRECISION DREAM got its head on the side and lay in across the heels of LEGION OF MERIT. Passing the 1300 Metres, AION got its head up on a number of occasions when travelling keenly. Passing the 1100 Metres, EL VALIENTE, which was travelling keenly, shifted in abruptly away from the heels of WINNING STEED which was awkwardly placed behind GREEN ENVY, resulting in BRIGHT KID being crowded for room inside EL VALIENTE which was then directed out to relieve the tightening to BRIGHT KID. Passing the 1000 Metres, NOBLE MAN shifted out away from the heels of ALL FOR ST PAUL’S and momentarily raced in restricted room between that horse and EVER LAUGH. After the 900 Metres, ULTRA EXPRESS was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight lay in under pressure. Passing the 600 Metres, BRIGHT KID commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of PRECISION DREAM, resulting in BRIGHT KID shifting out and bumping WINNING STEED which was hampered when crowded for room inside GREEN ENVY. HAPPY WIN WIN, which was following WINNING STEED, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence and TOYCOON, which was following BRIGHT KID, also had to be steadied away from the heels of that horse. Passing the 300 Metres, BRIGHT KID improved into tight running between LEGION OF MERIT and EVER LAUGH. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that it was felt that from a wide barrier too much use may have to be made of REGENCY MASTER to obtain a forward position and therefore he was asked to ensure that the horse began well and then attempt to obtain a position with cover in about midfield. He said after shifting his mount across in the early stages, he obtained a position behind ULTRA EXPRESS near the 1200 Metres. He said making the turn near the 900 Metres REGENCY MASTER was bumped by EL VALIENTE which, when travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of WINNING STEED. He said after this REGENCY MASTER travelled only fairly and he had to commence riding his mount along prior to the 700 Metres in an endeavour to maintain its position. He added then in the Straight REGENCY MASTER did not finish off the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HAPPY WIN WIN, A Hamelin stated that from a wide barrier he was required to position HAPPY WIN WIN at the tail of the field. He said, in his opinion, HAPPY WIN WIN was not suited by the moderate tempo of the race as his mount travelled keenly throughout and would not relax. He added because of this HAPPY WIN WIN was then not able to finish off the race as it did at its last start. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY WIN WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EL VALIENTE and NOBLE MAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREEN ENVY, ALL FOR ST PAUL’S and BRIGHT KID were sent for sampling.