11/09/2022  Shatin  Race 2

THE JOLLY shifted out at the start and bumped M M JOHNNY. M M JOHNNY was then crowded for room a short distance after the start between THE JOLLY and GENERAL TRUMP which shifted in. FORTUNE HERO began awkwardly, shifted in and brushed the hindquarters of ZACIAN which also shifted out. FORTUNE HERO then shifted out and bumped MEDIC ELITE which also shifted in. This resulted in both FORTUNE HERO and MEDIC ELITE becoming unbalanced and losing ground. THE GOOD DEAL shifted in at the start and inconvenienced SUNNY BABY. After this, SUNNY BABY was steadied to obtain cover from a wide barrier. Approaching the 1050 Metres, THETA HEDGE raced tight inside the heels of STRIVE FOR GLORY. Approaching the 1000 Metres, ZACIAN got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the 900 Metres, GENERAL TRUMP, which was being steadied to obtain cover, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of M M JOHNNY which shifted out. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, HANDSOME GUYS commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when racing close to the heels of GLORIFIED FIRE. After this, HANDSOME GUYS continued to race keenly and near the 550 Metres was hampered when attempting to improve into tight running between GLORIFIED FIRE and M M JOHNNY. THE JOLLY, which was following HANDSOME GUYS, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 550 Metres, GENERAL TRUMP raced close to the heels of M M JOHNNY. Rounding the Home Turn, THE JOLLY (L Hewitson) became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room inside HANDSOME GUYS which got its head on the side and lay in. After the race, L Hewitson reported that THE JOLLY travelled strongly into the race up until when this incident occurred. He said after this THE JOLLY came off the bridle and then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of THE JOLLY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY BABY and MEDIC ELITE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, FORTUNE HERO raced tight outside SUNNY BABY which shifted out from behind THE GOOD DEAL to obtain clear running. For the majority of the race, DASHING GENIUS travelled wide and without cover. H N Wong (TAKINGUFURTHER), who was resuming race riding today after a significant period of time due to injury, was reprimanded for using the whip on a horse out of contention. THETA HEDGE lost its left front plate after the race. M M JOHNNY, STRIVE FOR GLORY and GLORIFIED FIRE were sent for sampling.