01/07/2023  Shatin  Race 9

After being loaded into the barriers, HARRY’S HERO became fractious, reared and momentarily got its left front leg over the barrier partition. HARRY’S HERO was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, HARRY’S HERO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. IMPERIAL GOODNESS jumped awkwardly and lost ground. MUGEN shifted in at the start and bumped SUPER FOOTBALL and then raced tight to the inside of READY TO WIN for a short distance thereafter. Near the 1100 Metres, DANCING CODE was crowded by READY TO WIN which shifted in and away from O’LINER (C L Chau) despite the efforts of its rider, A Badel. In this incident, DANCING CODE was taken in onto JOYFUL FRIENDSHIP which was steadied when crowded in towards GOLDEN EMPIRE. The Stewards were satisfied that both A Badel and C L Chau had endeavoured to correct their mounts and therefore no action was taken. When questioned, C Y Ho stated that as a result of being crowded in the early stages, DANCING CODE settled slightly further back than what he had anticipated. He added DANCING CODE, which is still relatively immature, took some time to balance up when placed under pressure in the Home Straight, but ran home reasonably well. He said over the concluding stages he could not fully test his mount to the finish when racing tight to the inside of MUGEN. For some distance near the 900 Metres, JOYFUL FRIENDSHIP raced keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind NISHIKADO. MUGEN had some difficulty obtaining clear running making the Home Turn. For a short distance near the 300 Metres, INVINCIBLE SAGE was held up for clear running behind O’LINER when that runner commenced to give ground. Near the 150 Metres, MUGEN was shifted to the inside of READY TO WIN to obtain clear running and over the concluding stages could not be fully ridden out to the finish when positioned tight to the inside of GOLDEN EMPIRE. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY CRESCENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INVINCIBLE SAGE, BUNDLE OF CHARM and GLOBAL HARMONY were sent for sampling.