11/09/2022  Shatin  Race 8

On arrival at the barriers, PERFECT TO GREAT, which made contact with a rail on entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. PERFECT TO GREAT began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. STUNNING IMPACT began only fairly and then was slow to muster speed in the early stages. From the outside barriers, RAINBOW LIGHT and KING TOURBILLON were steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover. LEATHER VANGUARD was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After the 1200 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. Then after the 1000 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was left racing very wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead at the 600 Metres. After the 1200 Metres, EXUBERANT travelled keenly when obtaining cover behind WOODFIRE BRO. Near the 950 Metres, WOODFIRE BRO was steadied away from the heels of BLISSFUL STAR (S De Sousa) which shifted in when not properly clear. EXUBERANT, which was following WOODFIRE BRO and continuing to travel keenly, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. S De Sousa was reprimanded and told to ensure that he gives sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the 800 Metres, KING TOURBILLON got its head up when awkwardly placed behind EXUBERANT. In the Straight, WOODFIRE BRO lay in and proved difficult to ride and near the 50 Metres shifted in, resulting in WOODFIRE BRO being awkwardly placed outside the heels of BLISSFUL STAR. Because of this, WOODFIRE BRO was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race as it normally would be. Close to the finishing line, MAXIMIZE HEART shifted out and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLISSFUL STAR. After the race, C L Chau reported that, in his opinion, LEATHER VANGUARD was not suited by the slow tempo of today’s race in the middle stages. He said LEATHER VANGUARD was not able to quicken when the pace of the race increased near the 600 Metres which resulted in the horse having to be hard ridden rounding the Home Turn. He added that although LEATHER VANGUARD was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to make up ground in the Straight, he believed the circumstances of today’s race was the principal reason for the horse’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection of LEATHER VANGUARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MAGIC SUPREME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE had sustained a cut to the left hock. WIDE BLUE YONDER, ETERNAL BLOOM and STUNNING IMPACT were sent for sampling.