18/06/2023  Shatin  Race 3

FORTUNE WARRIOR, first Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 17.6.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). THE FINAL WORD was also withdrawn on 17.6.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter GO GO GO (L Ferraris). Before being allowed to race again, FORTUNE WARRIOR and THE FINAL WORD will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PINS PRINCE and LUCKY FUN jumped awkwardly. GO HERO was slow to begin. On jumping, HO HO STAR was crowded by COMMANDING MISSILE which shifted out. HO HO STAR was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, ORIENTAL SPIRIT and PINS PRINCE bumped. Passing the 1100 Metres, SUNLIGHT POWER lay in and bumped GO GO GO. NOBLE ONE raced keenly in the lead in the early stages. Near the 800 Metres, LUCKY BANNER ran wide when being steadied to avoid SUNLIGHT POWER. Approaching the 200 Metres, C Y Ho (NOBLE ONE) was accidentally struck across the left arm by the whip of C L Chau (COMMANDING MISSILE). After the 200 Metres, GO HERO (K Teetan) shifted to the outside of COMMANDING MISSILE where there was doubtful room and in doing so brushed SUPER HIGHWAY (M Chadwick). As a consequence, SUPER HIGHWAY was turned in, resulting in both runners making heavy contact passing the 150 Metres. Again near the 100 Metres, GO HERO and SUPER HIGHWAY made heavy contact due to both runners shifting ground, resulting in SUPER HIGHWAY becoming unbalanced. The Stewards advised both K Teetan and M Chadwick to exercise more care in similar circumstances. When placed under pressure in the Straight, HO HO STAR raced greenly and lay in. After the 100 Metres, HO HO STAR proved reluctant to shift to the outside of SUPER HIGHWAY to secure clear running. ORIENTAL SPIRIT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding COMMANDING MISSILE racing outside the lead, C L Chau stated that he was given the option, with blinkers reapplied to his mount, to take up a forward position if COMMANDING MISSILE began well. He said after COMMANDING MISSILE jumped well, he was able to capitalise on the good start and race outside the lead. Trainer C W Chang confirmed the instructions issued and stated that whilst COMMANDING MISSILE was back in distance, with blinkers reapplied today, the intention was to take up a forward position. He added that at its last start, in his opinion, COMMANDING MISSILE settled too far back in the field and this was the main reason for its disappointing performance on that occasion. After the race, Z Purton (SUNLIGHT POWER) reported that his mount was caught wide in the early stages when ORIENTAL SPIRIT held its position to his inside. He added as a result he was obliged to steady and race behind ORIENTAL SPIRIT. He said when placed under pressure in the Home Straight SUNLIGHT POWER lay in and raced greenly. A veterinary inspection of SUNLIGHT POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SUNLIGHT POWER, favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUNLIGHT POWER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, A Badel (PINS PRINCE) reported that his mount travelled only fairly during the race and failed to respond to his riding in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of PINS PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ORIENTAL SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNLIGHT POWER, COMMANDING MISSILE and SUPER HIGHWAY were sent for sampling.