07/11/2021  Shatin  Race 10

FUNCTION PATCH stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost a significant amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, FUNCTION PATCH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. BLAZE WARRIOR was tightened for room on jumping between GOLDEN LINK and STAR OF YUEN LONG. SICOMORO shifted in on jumping and hampered PERFECT MARYKNOLL which was then steadied to obtain cover. MISSION BRAVO began only fairly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. LET’S DO IT and INVINCIBLE MISSILE were steadied in the early stages from wide barriers to obtain cover. Approaching the 1300 Metres, HARMONY WIN WIN shifted out and bumped PACKING FAMOUS. Passing the 1300 Metres, BLAZE WARRIOR was awkwardly placed outside the heels of STAR OF YUEN LONG when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. After the 1000 Metres, IMA SINGLE MAN was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 900 Metres, STAR OF YUEN LONG was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PACKING FAMOUS and near the 850 Metres was steadied away from the heels of that horse. Passing the 800 Metres, LET’S DO IT commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when racing close to the heels of BLAZE WARRIOR. Near the 700 Metres, GOLDEN LINK was taken wide and without cover by ALL BEAUTY which shifted out from behind HARMONY WIN WIN. In the early part of the Straight, LET’S DO IT lay in under pressure. STAR OF YUEN LONG was held up for clear running from passing the 200 Metres until the concluding stages. Because of this, STAR OF YUEN LONG was not able to be properly tested. Passing the 200 Metres, BLAZE WARRIOR and IMA SINGLE MAN raced tight. Approaching the 100 Metres, ALL BEAUTY became unbalanced when being shifted in away from the heels of IMA SINGLE MAN (K Teetan) which shifted in under pressure. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Over the concluding stages, PACKING FAMOUS raced close to the heels of PERFECT MARYKNOLL. The performance of SICOMORO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SICOMORO 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 SICOMORO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GOLDEN LINK, M Chadwick stated that it was anticipated that today’s race would be run at a good tempo and that GOLDEN LINK may be able to obtain a position with cover in advance of midfield. He said due to the make-up of the field in the early stages, he was required to ride his mount along in the early stages to clear PACKING FAMOUS in order not to cover unnecessary ground. He said it was not until after the 1000 Metres that he was able to clear that horse and shift across to race in a one-off position. He said GOLDEN LINK did not travel well at any stage of the race and came under heavy pressure after the 700 Metres and was not travelling well enough to prevent ALL BEAUTY from shifting away from the rail passing the 700 Metres which resulted in GOLDEN LINK being taken wider and without cover. He said after riding his mount along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight GOLDEN LINK commenced to give ground prior to the 300 Metres and then weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN LINK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GOLDEN LINK, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN LINK 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 HARMONY WIN WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. IMA SINGLE MAN and BLAZE WARRIOR were sent for sampling.