18/09/2022  Shatin  Race 6

FOREVER GLORIOUS was slow to begin. PRIDE OF EIGHT began only fairly. PROSECCO and WIN WIN bumped on jumping. From wide barriers, INDIGENOUS REALM and HK DRAGON were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. HAPPY DAY was left racing wide and without cover at the 900 Metres. CHEERY made the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly and shifted out and in doing so inconvenienced WIN WIN. Approaching the 600 Metres, LIFELINE VISION was steadied away from the heels of PROSECCO which was racing close to the heels of VOYAGE STAR. PROSECCO then shifted out marginally, resulting in LIFELINE VISION bumping the hindquarters of HAPPY DAY which became unbalanced. CHEERY, which was following LIFELINE VISION, was hampered when being steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. HK DRAGON, which was improving to the outside of CHEERY, was also inconvenienced. PROSECCO lay out rounding the Home Turn. Approaching the 50 Metres, ON EXCEL STAR was shifted out from behind BAEBAE TSOI which drifted out under pressure. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHEERY, J Moreira stated that after travelling satisfactorily in the early stages, his mount became unbalanced approaching the 600 Metres when very awkwardly placed behind LIFELINE VISION. He said when this happened CHEERY immediately came off the bridle and did not quicken when asked near the 500 Metres. He said he continued to ride CHEERY along in the early part of the Straight, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of CHEERY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CHEERY, favourite for today’s race and which finished last, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHEERY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, L Currie (PRIDE OF EIGHT) stated that after being held up behind runners rounding the Home Turn, he was unable to build up momentum as he had hoped. He said after obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight, PRIDE OF EIGHT then did not finish the race off strongly and he was of the opinion that it may not have backed up after racing last Sunday. A veterinary inspection of PRIDE OF EIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY DAY and PROSECCO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHEERY, BAEBAE TSOI and ON EXCEL STAR were sent for sampling.