26/06/2021  Shatin  Race 2

At declaration time, T Piccone was declared as the rider of both TREASURE OF FIELD and WAH MAY LUCK. It was established that T Piccone had a firm commitment to ride WAH MAY LUCK. As such, the Stewards permitted C Schofield to be substituted as the rider of TREASURE OF FIELD. For this declaration error, Trainer K H Ting was fined $2,000. PEAK TO PEAK and TREASURE OF FIELD bumped at the start. HERCULES began awkwardly and then was crowded for room on jumping between BLAZE WARRIOR and ILLUSTRIOUS which shifted in abruptly. ILLUSTRIOUS then continued to shift in and bumped BLAZE WARRIOR which became unbalanced. After this, HERCULES was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barriers, GOLD GOLD BABY and BOYS PARTY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. When being steadied to obtain cover, GOLD GOLD BABY was hampered shortly after the start when bumped by ZELUS which shifted out. A short distance after the start, TRONIC MIGHTY was bumped by SMART WONGCHOY which shifted in. In the early stages, NIMBLE NIMBUS got its head up when travelling keenly. Passing the 1000 Metres, BLAZE WARRIOR momentarily raced tight outside NIMBLE NIMBUS which shifted out when racing greenly. Throughout the race, WAH MAY LUCK travelled wide and without cover and making the turn after the 900 Metres got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 700 Metres, PAKISTAN ZINDABAD raced tight inside NIMBLE NIMBUS which shifted in. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD and NIMBLE NIMBUS then bumped again near the 650 Metres. In the early part of the Straight, NIMBLE NIMBUS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TRONIC MIGHTY and then near the 350 Metres was directed out a number of horses to obtain clear running. Passing the 75 Metres, HERCULES was shifted out away from the heels of PEAK TO PEAK to continue improving. For the majority of the race, ZELUS travelled wide and without cover. The performance of ILLUSTRIOUS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ILLUSTRIOUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BOYS PARTY and ILLUSTRIOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BLAZE WARRIOR and SMART WONGCHOY were sent for sampling.