09/07/2023  Shatin  Race 8

WONDERFUL UNICORN, which had its left front plate adjusted in the saddling stalls, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race. After being loaded into the barriers, LIGHTNING BOLT became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, LIGHTNING BOLT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. WONDERFUL UNICORN and AMAZING ACE jumped only fairly. From outside barriers, ROYAL PRIDE and LIGHTNING BOLT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1000 Metres, AMAZING ACE, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong, commenced to race keenly. Approaching the 900 Metres, AMAZING ACE was then checked to avoid DROPS OF GOD (A Badel) after that runner steadied and shifted in to obtain a position behind YOU’REMYEVERYTHING. As a consequence, AMAZING ACE commenced to race fiercely, got its head up, ran out across the heels of SELF IMPROVEMENT and was again checked. A Badel was reprimanded. When AMAZING ACE was shifted back in to resume its position, LIGHTNING BOLT was steadied in consequence. In the middle stages, WONDERFUL UNICORN and DROPS OF GOD raced keenly. LIGHTNING BOLT had some difficult obtaining clear running near the 300 Metres. Near the 200 Metres, SELF IMPROVEMENT shifted in slightly and made contact with XPONENTIAL. The Stewards opened an inquiry into K H Chan’s riding of ROYAL PRIDE making the Home Turn and in the Home Straight. Evidence was taken from Jockey Chan and Mr C Fownes, trainer of ROYAL PRIDE. K H Chan advised that with ROYAL PRIDE coming back in distance from 1650 Metres to 1200 Metres, he had expected from a wide barrier to settle back in the field, but he was given no specific instructions as to where to position his mount in the Home Straight. He said after being positioned at the rear of the field, he contemplated shifting to the outside of LIGHTNING BOLT on the Home Turn to follow AMAZING ACE, however, he elected not to do so as he felt he would have had to ease his mount slightly to shift around the heels of LIGHTNING BOLT. He added that as a result he improved to the inside on straightening where he then was able to place his mount under pressure. He said near the 300 Metres when positioned behind YOU’REMYEVERYTHING, his focus was on following the favourite in the event, CALL ME DANDY, but was reluctant to improve to the inside of YOU’REMYEVERYTHING and ride his mount with vigour because he was concerned that YOU’REMYEVERYTHING would shift in and also that he would be positioned too close to the heels of that runner. He further stated that as a result he remained racing behind YOU’REMYEVERYTHING and shifted to that runner’s outside, but then became held up and could not test his mount between the 250 Metres and the 150 Metres. He said once ROYAL PRIDE obtained clear running at that point, it ran home strongly. Mr Fownes confirmed the instructions issued and expressed satisfaction with the ride by Jockey Chan. The inquiry was adjourned until a date to be fixed. A veterinary inspection of RAGNARR, which was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event, immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SAKEWIN and DROPS OF GOD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALL ME DANDY and SELF IMPROVEMENT were sent for sampling.