10/09/2023  Shatin  Race 4

YOUTHFUL DEAL was slow to begin. When questioned regarding his riding of LUCKY SWEYNESSE, Z Purton stated that he was instructed, from the outside barrier, to ride LUCKY SWEYNESSE conservatively in the early stages. He said when IMA SINGLE MAN drawn to his inside showed intent to go forward, he elected to allow LUCKY SWEYNESSE to settle behind that runner. He added when placed under full pressure in the Home Straight, under its big weight, today’s "Yielding” track conditions and the slow early sectionals of the event, LUCKY SWEYNESSE found it difficult to make up ground. Trainer K L Man confirmed the instructions issued to Jockey Purton and indicated they were issued on the basis that LUCKY SWEYNESSE was carrying top weight in today’s race, had an interrupted track work schedule due to adverse weather conditions in Hong Kong and had only one barrier trial leading into the race, when on that occasion it led and had not finished the trial off strongly when beaten by VICTOR THE WINNER. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY SWEYNESSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTOR THE WINNER and LUCKY SWEYNESSE were sent for sampling.