18/12/2021  Shatin  Race 8

CIRCUIT THREE began only fairly. IMA SINGLE MAN began awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of DECRYPT. When being steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover from a wide barrier, NOT USUAL TALENT was steadied away from the heels of RATTAN which shifted in. ROCKET SPADE got its head up shortly after the start when being steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, S J TOURBILLON was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. DECRYPT lost its right hind plate after the 1200 Metres. After the 900 Metres, SEATTLE CHOICE was left racing wide and without cover. Also after the 900 Metres, SHINING GEM raced tight inside DECRYPT which got its head on the side and lay in away from HINCHINLOVE. IMA SINGLE MAN, which was following SHINING GEM, raced close to the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 400 Metres, THE GOLDEN SCENERY was disappointed for running between SEATTLE CHOICE and MISTER SNOWDON which shifted in. THE GOLDEN SCENERY was then badly held up for clear running and passing the 250 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of SEATTLE CHOICE. THE GOLDEN SCENERY then continued to be held up for clear running and passing the 100 Metres shifted in and bumped SEATTLE CHOICE when improving into tight running inside MISTER SNOWDON. In this incident, SEATTLE CHOICE became unbalanced after being bumped by THE GOLDEN SCENERY. SHINING GEM had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. IMA SINGLE MAN was shifted to the inside of DECRYPT and SHINING GEM approaching the 300 Metres to obtain clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT was bumped by CIRCUIT THREE which shifted out away from the heels of BLAZE WARRIOR to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, RATTAN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BLAZE WARRIOR, J Moreira stated that after shifting across behind runners in an attempt to obtain a position closer to the rail in the early stages, BLAZE WARRIOR was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MISTER SNOWDON passing the 1000 Metres. He said when he was not able to shift BLAZE WARRIOR in to follow MISTER SNOWDON after the 1000 Metres due to THE GOLDEN SCENERY maintaining its position, BLAZE WARRIOR was left racing in a three wide position, however, had cover throughout. He said BLAZE WARRIOR travelled as it usually does in the middle stages and after being shifted to the outside of MISTER SNOWDON rounding the Home Turn initially responded well to his riding and quickened in a manner which indicated to him that it was going to finish off the race well. He added BLAZE WARRIOR continued to improve its position after the 300 Metres, however, prior to the 200 Metres was weakening on its run and then over the concluding stages was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. He said he was not able to immediately detect any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance as it was comfortable in its action after the race and appeared to pull up well. A veterinary inspection of BLAZE WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, K Teetan stated that when racing in the lead today, HIGHLAND FORTUNE did not travel as strongly as it had when he had ridden it previously. He said HIGHLAND FORTUNE came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then when ridden along in the early part of the Straight did not quicken as it had previously. He said over the latter stages of the race HIGHLAND FORTUNE gave ground and, in his opinion, did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of HIGHLAND FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HIGHLAND FORTUNE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of S J TOURBILLON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BLAZE WARRIOR, IMA SINGLE MAN and CIRCUIT THREE were sent for sampling.