16/04/2022  Shatin  Race 4

TUNG HAYE HAYE, which was leaning on the inside of its stall, was slow to begin. SMILING COLLECTOR shifted out at the start and bumped NOBLE DESIRE which was crowded for room inside SUPER AXIOM. From the outside barriers, TOUCH FAITH and GALLANT HERO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, AUGUST MOON was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CALIFORNIA VANES. After shifting to the outside of GOOD BEAUTY in the early part of the Straight to obtain clear running, GALLANT HERO was directed to the inside of that horse when GOOD BEAUTY shifted to the outside of ETERNAL BLOOM as that horse shifted out marginally under pressure. Then near the 100 Metres, GALLANT HERO was shifted in away from the heels of NOBLE DESIRE to continue improving. Passing the 300 Metres, BIRDSVILLE was shifted to the inside of PROSECCO after being disappointed for running outside that horse. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that SMILING COLLECTOR commenced to lay out shortly after the start. He said the horse was manageable until the 900 Metres at which time he had to place some pressure on SMILING COLLECTOR as CALIFORNIA VANES was being steadied in advance of his mount. He said when he did this SMILING COLLECTOR commenced to hang out and then hung out badly after the 800 Metres. He said near the 600 Metres he observed that the bit worn by SMILING COLLECTOR was commencing to pull through the horse’s mouth. He said SMILING COLLECTOR continued to hang out rounding the Home Turn. He said because of the racing manners of SMILING COLLECTOR in the middle stages, this resulted in the horse losing ground. He added in the early part of the Straight SMILING COLLECTOR commenced to race more tractably, however, after the 200 Metres again got its head on the side and hung out. He said at its first start when successful SMILING COLLECTOR was inclined to lay out, however, did not show any indication that it would race in the manner in which it did today. A veterinary inspection of SMILING COLLECTOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SMILING COLLECTOR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMILING COLLECTOR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE DESIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SMILING COLLECTOR, AUGUST MOON and CALIFORNIA VANES were sent for sampling.