24/09/2023  Shatin  Race 1

HINOKAMI KAGURA proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, HINOKAMI KAGURA will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SONIC BOOM and GREAT DAYS were crowded at the start between SUPER BONUS and HINOKAMI KAGURA, both of which shifted ground. From wide barriers, SUPER LEGENDS and JOYFUL PROSPERITY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, TELECOM DRAGON was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 850 Metres, TELECOM DRAGON momentarily raced tight to the inside of SUPER LEGENDS which was taken in by JOYFUL PROSPERITY (A Atzeni). A Atzeni was advised to exercise more care. KAHOLO ANGEL and THE CONCENTRATION raced keenly in the middle stages. Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres, RUBYLOT was held up for clear running behind SUPER BONUS and was unable to shift out when HINOKAMI KAGURA was positioned to its outside. Over the final 300 Metres, KAHOLO ANGEL lay in and proved difficult to ride out. Over the final 150 Metres, SUPER LEGENDS lay out under pressure and shifted ground. Approaching the winning post, JOYFUL PROSPERITY was then taken out by SUPER LEGENDS. When questioned regarding his riding of GREAT DAYS, Apprentice Y L Chung stated that his instructions were to endeavour to hold a forward position with cover. He said in the early stages, after jumping well, he endeavoured to comply with his instructions, but when his mount was caught three wide and KAHOLO ANGEL held its position behind the lead, he was obliged to race three wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He added that at the 800 Metres he contemplated allowing his mount to continue forward and cross runners to his inside, however, felt that both K Teetan, rider of HINOKAMI KAGURA, and Z Purton, rider of SUPER BONUS, were intent on holding their positions and for this reason he remained racing in a three wide position. After the race, it was noted that GREAT DAYS had lost its right hind plate. When questioned regarding his riding of TELECOM DRAGON over the final 500 Metres, C L Chau stated that making the Home Turn he contemplated shifting out to follow JOYFUL PROSPERITY. He said when he felt SONIC BOOM, which was positioned in advance of him, was travelling better, he elected to remain racing behind that runner and follow it through so as to save ground. He added that on straightening SONIC BOOM did not improve as he had expected and for this reason TELECOM DRAGON was held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and the 200 Metres. He said after shifting to the inside of SONIC BOOM and SUPER LEGENDS near the 200 Metres, TELECOM DRAGON found the line strongly. After considering his explanation, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Chau were reasonable in the circumstances. When questioned regarding the performance of SUPER BONUS, Z Purton stated that his mount travelled comfortably in the lead, but responded only fairly to his urgings in the Home Straight. He added that having regard to the manner in which SUPER BONUS had barrier trialed in the lead up to today’s race, he was not overly disappointed with the performance of the horse. A veterinary inspection of SUPER BONUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, L Hewitson (RUBYLOT) reported that his mount jumped awkwardly and as a consequence lost ground. A veterinary inspection of SONIC BOOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RUBYLOT, SUPER LEGENDS and KAHOLO ANGEL were sent for sampling.