01/07/2021  Shatin  Race 1

AFRICAN SKY shifted out at the start and bumped FORTUNE TRIPLE. RED ZOFFANY and SPEED FORCE bumped at the start. DAZZLING FEELING and SMART THINKER began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, SEA MONARCH and JOY MASTER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, FORMULA EXCEL was steadied away from the heels of STRAPPING BAUHINIA (H T Mo) which shifted in when not properly clear. H T Mo was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in future. RED ZOFFANY travelled keenly in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover. SEA MONARCH lost its right hind plate approaching the 1200 Metres. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, AFRICAN SKY travelled very keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind STRAPPING BAUHINIA. After being crossed by STRAPPING BAUHINIA near the 1150 Metres, AFRICAN SKY was steadied away from that horse when continuing to travel keenly. After the 1200 Metres, RIGHTEOUS WIN was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 1000 Metres, SEA MONARCH got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART THINKER. RED ZOFFANY made the Home Turn awkwardly. Approaching the 200 Metres, FORMULA EXCEL raced tight inside DAZZLING FEELING which was then corrected by its rider. Then passing the 150 Metres, FORMULA EXCEL was steadied when crowded for room between RIGHTEOUS WIN and DAZZLING FEELING (N Callan) which shifted in under pressure. N Callan was severely reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts. Close to the finishing line, CIGAR BUDDIES was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RED ZOFFANY which got its head on the side and lay in. RED ZOFFANY was then straightened by its rider passing the winning post. After the race, J Moreira stated that due to the slow tempo in the middle stages, FORMULA EXCEL travelled keenly. He said after shifting FORMULA EXCEL out at the entrance to the Straight, his mount gave him a limited response, however, came under pressure near the 300 Metres. He said although FORMULA EXCEL was hampered passing the 150 Metres, he was of the opinion that the horse was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of FORMULA EXCEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau stated that after the 400 Metres he directed SPEED FORCE to the inside of RED ZOFFANY with a view to obtaining clear running between that horse and CIGAR BUDDIES which was racing to his inside. He said he did consider shifting in further to improve into tight running inside CIGAR BUDDIES, but was of the opinion that there was a chance that CIGAR BUDDIES would shift in which would break his momentum and therefore he felt that the better option was to wait for a run to develop between CIGAR BUDDIES and RED ZOFFANY. He added after being held up behind CIGAR BUDDIES after the 300 Metres, a run had not eventuated between those two horses and therefore he elected to shift SPEED FORCE back to the inside of CIGAR BUDDIES to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of SMART THINKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FORMULA EXCEL, JOY MASTER and DIAMOND STAR were sent for sampling.