26/06/2021  Shatin  Race 8

FANTASTIC SHOW was slow to begin. WIN WIN began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between LEAP OF FAITH and INVINCIBLE MISSILE which was taken out by PLEASANT ENDEAVOR. After this, WIN WIN was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. LINCOLN BRIGHT began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, CASIMIRO was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, HORSESAIN BOLT shifted in and bumped XIANG YIN. For some distance in the middle stages, XIANG YIN travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind CHEERFUL DAYS. Near the 550 Metres, PLEASANT ENDEAVOR raced tight outside CHEERFUL DAYS which improved into tight running between PLEASANT ENDEAVOR and BELUGA. PLEASANT ENDEAVOR and CHEERFUL DAYS then bumped near the 450 Metres. Passing the 400 Metres, XIANG YIN raced in restricted room between LEAP OF FAITH which initially shifted out and CHEERFUL DAYS which got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. WIN WIN had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. CASIMIRO had some difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres and passing the 200 Metres was steadied when attempting to improve between XIANG YIN and CHEERFUL DAYS where there was insufficient room. XIANG YIN then raced tight inside CASIMIRO as that horse continued to improve inside CHEERFUL DAYS. Passing the 200 Metres, PLEASANT ENDEAVOR momentarily raced in restricted room between CHEERFUL DAYS and HORSESAIN BOLT. BELUGA lost its left front plate after the race. The performance of LINCOLN BRIGHT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LINCOLN BRIGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, K C Leung stated that, in his opinion, the circumstances of today’s race did not suit PLEASANT ENDEAVOR. He said stepping up to 1400 Metres for the first time today, PLEASANT ENDEAVOR was left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. He said PLEASANT ENDEAVOR then became unbalanced rounding the Home Turn when runners to its inside commenced to make their runs. He added because of these factors PLEASANT ENDEAVOR was not able to quicken in the early part of the Straight and then did not finish off the race as strongly as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of PLEASANT ENDEAVOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, T Piccone stated that KASI FARASI was not able to obtain as good a run as it did at its last start due to having drawn wide today. He said in the circumstances he believed that KASI FARASI finished off the race satisfactorily. A veterinary inspection of KASI FARASI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BELUGA and LEAP OF FAITH were sent for sampling.