25/06/2023  Shatin  Race 5

WONDER YEARS was slow to begin. BILLIONAIRE SECRET jumped awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, SHARPEN BRIGHT raced tight between EL VALIENTE and HELENE ALLIBOR which shifted out. From the outside barrier, DEAR SIBLING was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1000 Metres, BILLIONAIRE SECRET was checked when crowded between EL VALIENTE and KOWLOON GREAT (Apprentice E C W Wong) which shifted in before being corrected by Apprentice Wong. Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded and advised he must show greater care than he did on this occasion when shifting ground. READY PLAYER ONE raced wide and without cover until the 800 Metres. Near the 600 Metres, FOREVER FOLKS improved into a tight run to the outside of WIN WIN FIGHTER and as a result made contact with SHARPEN BRIGHT, resulting in SHARPEN BRIGHT then becoming unbalanced when taken out onto EL VALIENTE. When placed under pressure in the Straight, SUPER HONG KONG and READY PLAYER ONE lay out. KOWLOON GREAT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. The performances of PERFECT MARYKNOLL, REGENCY MASTER and DEAR SIBLING, all of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT MARYKNOLL, REGENCY MASTER and DEAR SIBLING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of PERFECT MARYKNOLL immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right hind leg. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY MASTER and DEAR SIBLING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, Apprentice E C W Wong (KOWLOON GREAT) reported that on jumping his right foot was dislodged from his stirrup iron and he did not regain his stirrup iron until near the 1800 Metres. When questioned regarding FOREVER FOLKS taking up a more forward position, A Hamelin stated that he was instructed to endeavour to find a position with cover close to the rail. He said in the early stages when a number of runners showed pace to his inside, he was obliged to allow FOREVER FOLKS to stride forward to avoid racing wide and as a consequence his mount raced more forward than he had anticipated. He added that when asked for an effort in the Home Straight, FOREVER FOLKS failed to respond to his riding and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of FOREVER FOLKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, A Badel (HELENE ALLIBOR) stated that his mount raced keenly in the early and middle stages and near the 1800 Metres was steadied when crossed by FOREVER FOLKS. He added that on straightening when positioned behind WIN WIN FIGHTER, he allowed his mount to balance up and to assess as to whether there was sufficient room to improve to the inside of WIN WIN FIGHTER. He said when WIN WIN FIGHTER then shifted out near the 350 Metres, he was able to place his mount under full pressure and take advantage of the run that developed to the inside of that runner. A veterinary inspection of GO GO SIXTEEN and WONDER YEARS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BILLIONAIRE SECRET and SUPER HONG KONG were sent for sampling.