28/11/2021  Shatin  Race 5

NAVAS TWO began awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of HIGH RISE SOLDIER, resulting in NAVAS TWO losing ground. PRIME MINISTER began very awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SOLID IMPACT, resulting in SOLID IMPACT becoming unbalanced and PRIME MINSTER losing ground. Approaching the turn near the 900 Metres, HANDSOME TWELVE and PRIME MINISTER raced tight and then making the turn after the 900 Metres HANDSOME TWELVE shifted out and inconvenienced PRIME MINSTER. Passing the 900 Metres, HIGH RISE SOLDIER was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of WAR OF COURAGE. After the 800 Metres, PRIME MINISTER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOLID IMPACT. In the early part of the Straight, HANDSOME TWELVE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FIVE ELEMENTS when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Near the 350 Metres, PRIME MINISTER was shifted out away from the heels of SOLID IMPACT which got its head on the side and shifted out away from HANDSOME TWELVE. NAVAS TWO was steadied near the 300 Metres when disappointed for running between HIGH RISE SOLIDER and ELIGERE which shifted out. NAVAS TWO was then shifted to the inside of ELIGERE passing the 300 Metres and in doing so shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of SUPREME SUPREME which became unbalanced. NAVAS TWO was awkwardly placed behind ELIGERE approaching the 200 Metres as that horse shifted in. NAVAS TWO was then steadied over the concluding stages when unable to improve into tight running between ELIGERE and WAR OF COURAGE which shifted in. Because of this, NAVAS TWO was not able to be fully tested. Throughout the race, WAR OF COURAGE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was issued with two sets of instructions depending on how FIVE ELEMENTS, from the outside barrier, began today. He said he was told that if FIVE ELEMENTS began well, to obtain a forward position and race outside the anticipated leader of the race CALIFORNIA CONCORD. He said alternatively he was told that if FIVE ELEMENTS did not begin well, he should attempt to obtain a position in midfield with cover if possible. He said FIVE ELEMENTS did not begin well and therefore he elected to attempt to obtain a position in midfield as he was of the opinion that to ride FIVE ELEMENTS along in the early stages would have taken too much out of the horse. He said when WAR OF COURAGE was being aggressively ridden to obtain a forward position, he steadied FIVE ELEMENTS passing the 1100 Metres and was hopeful of obtaining a position behind SOLID IMPACT and in front of PRIME MINISTER. He said after the 1100 Metres SOLID IMPACT was steadied by its rider to obtain a trailing position behind HIGH RISE SOLIDER and when PRIME MINISTER was ridden to maintain its position behind that horse, this resulted in FIVE ELEMENTS racing very wide and without cover outside SOLID IMPACT after the 1000 Metres. He added given the race was being run at a good tempo, it was not available to him to then ride FIVE ELEMENTS forward in an attempt to cross WAR OF COURAGE as he was positioned a number of lengths behind that horse. He said similarly he believed that it was not an option for him to steady FIVE ELEMENTS as he would have had to take the horse back to the rear of the field to obtain a position with cover behind PRIME MINISTER. He said therefore he was left with no alternative but to balance up FIVE ELEMENTS in an attempt to have the horse finish off the race as best as it was able given that it was required to race in a four wide position without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of FIVE ELEMENTS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SOLID IMPACT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FIVE ELEMENTS, CALIFORNIA CONCORD and PRIME MINISTER were sent for sampling.