28/02/2021  Shatin  Race 9

SPEEDY MOUSE began very awkwardly and lost ground. VALIANT DREAM shifted out at the start and inconvenienced LARSON. TRILLION WIN shifted out at the start and bumped FIGHTING STAR. PRINCE OF GEMS began awkwardly. After the 800 Metres, SUPER AXIOM, which was travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind WINNER METHOD, got its head on the side and shifted out when racing tight outside LARSON which resulted in FIGHTING STAR being taken out onto the hindquarters of PRINCE OF GEMS which became unbalanced. PRINCE OF GEMS was then awkwardly placed outside BLOTTING PAPER which shifted in marginally, resulting in FIGHTING STAR being crowded for room between PRINCE OF GEMS and SUPER AXIOM which continued to race tight outside LARSON. FIGHTING STAR was held up for clear running approaching the 300 Metres and was then shifted to the inside of LARSON to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, LUCKY QUALITY was directed to the inside of TRILLION WIN to continue improving. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that it was intended for SUPER AXIOM to lead. He said after stumbling badly at the start, shifting out and bumping CHEERFUL LEADER, SUPER AXIOM was not able to show sufficient speed to obtain a forward position and therefore the horse was required to race behind WINNER METHOD. He said when racing amongst horses, SUPER AXIOM would not relax and travelled too keenly and because of this was not able to finish the race off. He added, in his opinion, the disappointing performance of SUPER AXIOM was as a result of the horse’s immaturity when having to race amongst horses. A veterinary inspection of SUPER AXIOM immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of TRILLION WIN and PRINCE OF GEMS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNER METHOD and VALIANT DREAM were sent for sampling.