11/12/2022  Shatin  Race 1

COMING PATCH was slow to begin. HAPPY LAND began awkwardly. COMMANDING MISSILE shifted out at the start and bumped WIDE BLUE YONDER. After this, from a wide barrier, WIDE BLUE YONDER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, PERFETTO was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. After travelling a short distance, RED TITAN shifted in and bumped MASTER OF FORTUNE and near the 1000 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 900 Metres, FOREVER FOLKS raced tight inside PERFETTO which shifted in away from the heels of MASTER OF FORTUNE which got its head on the side and lay in. Then after the 850 Metres, FOREVER FOLKS was steadied when racing in restricted room inside PERFETTO as that horse continued to race tight inside MASTER OF FORTUNE. Near the 450 Metres, ADEFILL became unbalanced when bumped by PERFECT PEACH which improved into tight running between ADEFILL and MAXIMIZE HEART. HORSESAIN BOLT was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and at the entrance to the Straight was shifted out across the heels of HAPPY LAND to obtain clear running, COMING PATCH had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. PERFETTO had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 300 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERFECT PEACH. After this, PERFETTO continued to be held up for clear running until near the 200 Metres. WIDE BLUE YONDER had some difficulty obtaining clear running from passing the 300 Metres until approaching the 200 Metres. Passing the 250 Metres, COMING PATCH was steadied away from the heels of RED TITAN (R Moore) which shifted in under pressure. R Moore was reprimanded and told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. After this, COMING PATCH (A Hamelin) shifted in, resulting in BLUSTITCH and ADEFILL being hampered approaching the 150 Metres. A Hamelin was reprimanded and told that whilst COMING PATCH had initially been taken in by RED TITAN, nonetheless he had an obligation after this to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Approaching the 50 Metres, PERFETTO and WIDE BLUE YONDER brushed. After the race, L Hewitson stated that he had to ride PERFECT PEACH along for a considerable distance in the early stages to obtain as forward a position as possible. He said after obtaining a midfield position, he had to niggle at his mount in the middle stages to maintain its position behind MAXIMIZE HEART. He added that when placed under pressure in the Straight PERFECT PEACH did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT PEACH immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. After the race, MASTER OF FORTUNE was noted to have bled from the left nostril. An endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. A veterinary inspection of ADEFILL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT PEACH, CIRCUIT MIGHTY and HORSESAIN BOLT were sent for sampling.