10/04/2022  Shatin  Race 1

Just prior to the start being effected, M M NEBULA became fractious and as the gates opened began very awkwardly and lost ground. YEE CHEONG BRAVE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently was slow to begin. FELIX THE KING shifted in at the start and bumped SWEET DIAMOND which became unbalanced. After travelling a short distance, GLORIFIED FIRE shifted out and inconvenienced SALUTATION. GLENEALY GENERALS got its head up and travelled keenly approaching and passing the 900 Metres. Passing the 800 Metres, SALUTATION was awkwardly placed behind GLORIFIED FIRE. SALUTATION lay out approaching and passing the 500 Metres and passing the 300 Metres again lay out towards the heels of GLORIFIED FIRE, resulting in SALUTATION having to be corrected. Near the 100 Metres, M M NEBULA was shifted out away from the heels of GLENEALY GENERALS. Then close to the finishing line, M M NEBULA was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GLENEALY GENERALS. After the race, K Teetan stated that SWEET DIAMOND, which was only having its second race start today, travelled greenly throughout the race, particularly when placed under pressure. He said SWEET DIAMOND was inclined to shift ground on a number of occasions over the latter stages and did not finish the race off as strongly as had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of SWEET DIAMOND immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. When questioned regarding his riding out of WONDERFUL WARRIOR over the latter stages, J Moreira stated that WONDERFUL WARRIOR did not travel as strongly in the early and middle stages as was expected. He said after racing behind CHEVAL VALIANT, he shifted to the inside of that horse passing the 400 Metres. He said when being shifted in, WONDERFUL WARRIOR, which was having its first start today, travelled greenly and it was not until after the 200 Metres when he placed the horse under pressure that WONDERFUL WARRIOR commenced to finish the race off strongly. He said after the 150 Metres he was aware that he was opening up a margin over CHEVAL VALIANT which was racing to the outside of WONDERFUL WARRIOR. He said at this time he did not see FLYING HIGH which was making ground to the outside of CHEVAL VALIANT as his vision of that horse was obstructed by CHEVAL VALIANT. He said he continued to ride WONDERFUL WARRIOR out over the concluding stages, but did not use the whip as he was of the opinion that WONDERFUL WARRIOR had CHEVAL VALIANT well covered. He added it was not until about the 50 Metres that he became aware that FLYING HIGH was closing the race off strongly on the outside rail. He said he did consider using the whip on WONDERFUL WARRIOR at this time, but was concerned that if he did this, the horse may become unbalanced which would be detrimental to its opportunity to win the race. He said he therefore continued to ride the horse out vigorously hands and heels until the end of the race. J Moreira was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he must ensure that he rides his mounts out with sufficient vigour all the way to the end of the race so that, irrespective of the final placing of his mounts, his riding of those horses is not open to query. WONDERFUL WARRIOR and FLYING HIGH were sent for sampling.