25/06/2023  Shatin  Race 1

SHINKANSEN jumped awkwardly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being shifted across behind runners, SHINKANSEN over-raced and got its head up. SHINKANSEN then continued to over-race throughout the early and middle stages. Shortly after the start, ATOMIC BEAUTY, which jumped only fairly, raced tight between TRUST ME and COPARTNER PUDONG (L Currie) which shifted in. L Currie was advised to exercise more care. A short distance later, ATOMIC BEAUTY was then steadied when COPARTNER PUDONG was taken in slightly by ART LITE. DARCI LEGEND was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SINGAPORE SUNSHINE was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier and raced keenly. COPARTNER PUDONG raced keenly in the early and middle stages. KARMA hung out in the early and middle stages and making the first turn was awkwardly placed to the inside of ART LITE. Near the 350 Metres, ATOMIC BEAUTY was steadied when crowded between BLISSFUL STAR which shifted out slightly and COPARTNER PUDONG which shifted in before being corrected by its rider, L Currie. Near the 250 Metres, SHINKANSEN, which had been held up for clear running, was steadied when crowded between ART LITE and COPARTNER PUDONG (L Currie) which shifted out. L Currie was advised to exercise more care. When questioned regarding his riding of TRUST ME, M Dee stated that his instructions were to ride his mount where comfortable and to find cover. He said in the early stages when positioned to the outside of COMPASSION SPIRIT, when that runner held a position one-off, he elected to take a trailing position on the rail to avoid covering additional ground. He added in the Straight TRUST ME was held up until near the 200 Metres when he was able to shift to the outside of CYBER PATCH to secure clear running. Trainer C H Yip confirmed the instructions issued. When questioned, A Badel (CYBER PATCH) stated that as his mount was slow to begin at its first race start, he was instructed to ensure that CYBER PATCH commenced well today. He added that he was not given any specific instruction where to settle his mount, other than to have CYBER PATCH race where comfortable. He said after commencing well and due to the early pace of the race being run slower than standard, CYBER PATCH was able to take up a more forward position than it did at its first race start. When questioned if there was an opportunity to go forward when caught racing wide and without cover, A Badel stated that as his mount was not travelling well enough to do so, he was obliged to remain racing wide and without cover where CYBER PATCH travelled comfortably. A veterinary inspection of BLISSFUL STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIVER VIEWS and COMPASSION SPIRIT were sent for sampling.