25/06/2023  Shatin  Race 10

CAPITAL DELIGHT was withdrawn on 24.6.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BEAUTY CHAMP (H Bowman). Before being allowed to race again, CAPITAL DELIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On jumping, TAJ DRAGON and SEIZING THE MOMENT were hampered when crowded between CIRCUIT MIGHTY and NINJA DERBY, both of which shifted ground. GOLDEN ARTIE shifted in at the start and hampered CAN’T GO WONG. PACKING KNOCKHILL jumped only fairly. CHARITY GRACE was crowded on jumping between SIXTH GENERATION which shifted in and EURO ROCKS which was taken out by WINGS OF WAR. From the outside barrier, CHIU CHOW SPIRIT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. NINJA DERBY over-raced in the early and middle stages and got its head up. WINGS OF WAR lost its left hind plate near the 1200 Metres. Approaching the first turn near the 1000 Metres, TAJ DRAGON commenced to race keenly when being steadied to allow WINGS OF WAR to cross. Near the 900 Metres, SEIZING THE MOMENT was steadied when being crossed by NINJA DERBY. Near the 800 Metres, CAN’T GO WONG commenced to race keenly, was checked away from the heels of PACKING KNOCKHILL and then shifted out as a consequence. Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres, CAN’T GO WONG had difficulty obtaining clear running when positioned behind SIXTH GENERATION and to the inside of CHIU CHOW SPIRIT. When being shifted to the outside of CHIU CHOW SPIRIT near the 300 Metres, CAN’T GO WONG (K C Leung) blundered when it struck the heels of CHIU CHOW SPIRIT. K C Leung was advised to ensure that he has sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 200 Metres, SEIZING THE MOMENT became held up behind WINGS OF WAR which was commencing to give ground. SEIZING THE MOMENT then could not be ridden out until near the 100 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, GOLDEN ARTIE was held up behind SIXTH GENERATION and as a result could not be fully ridden out to the finish of the event. When placed under pressure near the 150 Metres, EURO ROCKS lay in and as a result was required to be corrected by its rider, L Hewitson. Over the final 100 Metres, CIRCUIT MIGHTY shifted out under pressure. SOLID IMPACT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. The performance of NINJA DERBY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, NINJA DERBY 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 NINJA DERBY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in when they observed an incident had occurred approaching the 100 Metres where SOLID IMPACT, placed second, and CHIU CHOW SPIRIT, placed 4th, bumped, resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced. Following the event, C L Chau, the rider of CHIU CHOW SPIRIT, viewed the official patrol films to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection, however, declined to lodge a protest/objection. When the Stewards were satisfied that the contact between CHIU CHOW SPIRIT and SOLID IMPACT was due to CHIU CHOW SPIRIT shifting in, bumping the hindquarters of SOLID IMPACT and turning that runner out, they also declined to lodge a protest/objection and declared correct weight on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. After the race, K Teetan (WINGS OF WAR) expressed some concern with his mount’s action. A veterinary inspection of WINGS OF WAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, WINGS OF WAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, L Hewitson (EURO ROCKS) reported that with his mount stepping up in distance, he was instructed to take up a forward position on EURO ROCKS. He added when caught wide in the early stages he was obliged to cross runners to his inside and lead. He said, in his opinion, EURO ROCKS would be better suited ridden more conservatively in the early stages. Trainer K W Lui confirmed the instructions were to take up a forward position, however, it was preferable that EURO ROCKS obtained cover. A veterinary inspection of EURO ROCKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TAJ DRAGON and SOLID IMPACT were sent for sampling.