Recap by phillip woo

Red Elysees responded nicely to get up 100m out after settling one off behind midfield for a fourth career win and second over this Sha Tin trip. Veteran's been a good money spinner for connections over the years. Punted late Swot Troopers Wind was no match for the winner and just held off Stunning Impact for second after surging to the lead 220m out following a prominent run on the fence. It was a solid effort with a return to Class Four after a confidence building success. Stunning Impact ran on very well down the outside to just miss second by a lip after a patient ride third last from a wide draw. He's been mixing his form of late but the return to blinkers sparked improvement here. Second favourite Awe got going from behind midfield on the fence to fill the frame but was no danger to the top three. He's crying out for a wet track. Favourite El Jefe made some ground without menacing after switching inside for a clear run 250m out following a patient ride fourth last from an outside draw. He went OK trying the 1,800m for the first time. Cheeky Prawn wasn't beaten overly far in the end after getting caught without cover the entire trip in midfield. It was an improved effort with a return to Sha Tin over a longer trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (656) - HYDRANGEA HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1800Meters

AWE shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of RED ELYSEES.

AWE was then inconvenienced by STRATHMARTINE which shifted in.

EXALTATION was slow to begin.

YES WE CAN shifted out at the start and bumped STUNNING IMPACT.

After this, YES WE CAN and STUNNING IMPACT were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

From a wide barrier, NUNCHUKS was also steadied to obtain cover.

Passing the 1700 Metres, NUNCHUKS got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of YES WE CAN which in turn was shifted in away from the heels of EL JEFE.

Near the 1250 Metres, STRATHMARTINE raced tight inside SUPER FAST which was taken in by DAILY CHARM which was then directed out to relieve the tightening to STRATHMARTINE and SUPER FAST.

M Chadwick (DAILY CHARM) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SUPER FAST, causing that horse to be unnecessarily hampered when having to be checked away from the heels of DAILY CHARM.

M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 2 June 2021 and to expire on Monday, 7 June 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Chadwick was fined $100,000.

After the 1000 Metres, CHEEKY PRAWN was left racing wide and without cover.

Passing the 800 Metres, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was steadied away from the heels of EXALTATION.

Then near the 650 Metres, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS commenced to travel keenly and shifted out away from the heels of EXALTATION, resulting in NUNCHUKS being taken out and bumping the hindquarters of STUNNING IMPACT which became unbalanced.

Passing the 700 Metres, AWE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SWOT TROOPERS WIND.

Passing the 400 Metres, CHEEKY PRAWN shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of RED ELYSEES.

NUNCHUKS, which was following CHEEKY PRAWN, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

Both EL JEFE and FULL POWER had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Passing the 300 Metres, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was disappointed for running between EL JEFE which shifted in and EXALTATION which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER FAST.

After this, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was held up for clear running and shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running after the 200 Metres.

Then approaching the 200 Metres, EXALTATION was steadied when unable to obtain clear running between EL JEFE and SUPER FAST which was taken out by FULL POWER.

Passing the 200 Metres, NUNCHUKS was steadied away from the heels of CHEEKY PRAWN which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider.

After the race, M Chadwick stated that DAILY CHARM's failure to finish off the race was as a result of too much use having to be made of the horse in the early stages to cross runners on its inside to obtain a forward position.

He said when SUPER FAST maintained its position inside DAILY CHARM for a considerable distance after the 1400 Metres, he had to make more use of DAILY CHARM to cross that horse than he had wished and for these reasons DAILY CHARM failed to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of DAILY CHARM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Also after the race, T Piccone stated that he was asked to obtain a more forward position on SUPER FAST if possible.

He said the race in the middle stages was run at a faster tempo than he had hoped and because of this, in his opinion, SUPER FAST was not able to finish off the race.

He said he is of the opinion that SUPER FAST may be better suited when ridden more quietly than was the case today.

A veterinary inspection of SUPER FAST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of FULL POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NUNCHUKS had sustained a laceration to the left hind hoof.

EL JEFE, RED ELYSEES and SWOT TROOPERS WIND were sent for sampling.