04/07/2021  Shatin  Race 7

ZONE D and ALEE KING PRAWN bumped at the start. SAM’S LOVE was crowded for room on jumping between EEVEE and KUNG FU TEA, both of which shifted ground. CHIU CHOW BROTHER (Apprentice C L Chau) shifted in abruptly at the start and made heavy contact with SIMPLE DOCTRINE which shifted out, resulting in CHIU CHIU BROTHER being crowded for room inside FLYING VICTORY. After the race, Apprentice Chau stated that it was intended for CHIU CHOW BROTHER to obtain a forward position, however, due to the circumstances of the start CHIU CHOW BROTHER raced further back in the field than had been intended. He said due to the pace of the race in the middle stages being only moderate, CHIU CHOW BROTHER was not able to quicken in the Straight and finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of CHIU CHOW BROTHER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Veterinary Surgeon subsequently reported that after being returned to the stable, CHIU CHOW BROTHER was found to have sustained a laceration to the right hind leg. After travelling a short distance, SAM’S LOVE shifted in, resulting in EEVEE being taken in onto LOVE ME MORE which became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by EEVEE. Approaching the 1100 Metres, EEVEE commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LOVE ME MORE. Approaching the 900 Metres, SAM’S LOVE was left racing wide and without cover. CHIU CHOW BROTHER made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly. PURE LEGEND, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. After this, CHIU CHOW BROTHER travelled keenly. Approaching the 500 Metres, KUNG FU TEA got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of SAM’S LOVE which was racing tight outside FLYING VICTORY. Passing the 400 Metres, SIMPLE DOCTRINE was shifted out away from the heels of WIN TECH which was directed to the outside of PURE LEGEND which at this time was awkwardly placed behind CHIN CHOW BROTHER. When improving to the outside of the heels of GOLDEN BOLT approaching the 200 Metres, ZONE D was awkwardly placed outside that horse as a result of GOLDEN BOLT shifting out under pressure. After the 200 Metres, KUNG FU TEA was bumped by CHIU CHOW BROTHER which shifted out away from the heels of SAM’S LOVE. For the majority of the race, KUNG FU TEA travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Moreira stated that it was intended for SAM’S LOVE to be ridden in about a midfield position or behind midfield. He said SAM’S LOVE began better than expected and in the early stages there were a considerable number of horses positioned to his inside which were also being steadied to obtain a midfield position. He said he believed that he would have had to heavily restrain SAM’S LOVE in order for the horse to obtain the position as instructed and therefore he elected to allow SAM’S LOVE to improve and commenced to shift it across to obtain a position closer to the rail approaching the 1200 Metres. He said after the 1100 Metres he was not able to shift SAM’S LOVE in to obtain cover behind FLYING VICTORY due to CHIU CHOW BROTHER maintaining its position to the inside of SAM’S LOVE and this resulted in SAM’S LOVE being left racing wide and without cover near the 900 Metres. When questioned, H W Lai stated that he was asked to ride FLYING VICTORY in about 5th or 6th position today. He said after beginning well, he rode FLYING VICTORY along in the early stages before commencing to steady his mount after travelling a short distance with a view to obtaining cover. He said after the 1300 Metres CHIU CHOW BROTHER improved its position to be racing inside the heels of FLYING VICTORY and therefore he had to ride his mount along to clear that horse rather than cover unnecessary ground. He said this resulted in FLYING VICTORY being ridden in a more forward position than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of FLYING VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LOVE ME MORE, EEVEE and KUNG FU TEA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ZONE D, GALAXY EMPEROR and GOLDEN BOLT were sent for sampling.