01/10/2023  Shatin  Race 10

As C L Chau was unable to fulfil the engagement on I CAN due to being overweight, K Teetan was substituted as the rider of that horse. C L Chau was fined the sum of $5,000. After being loaded into the barriers, I CAN became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, I CAN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. LET’S DO IT was slow to begin. From wide barriers, COMET SPLENDIDO and LUCKY GOLD were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After passing the 500 Metres, BLUE MARLIN (H Bentley) shifted out from behind MAJESTIC COLOUR to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with I CAN, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced and being forced wider. H Bentley was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he needs to show more care when endeavouring to put his mounts into clear running. Over the concluding stages, LET’S DO IT was shifted in abruptly when making ground to avoid the heels of OUTGATE. HYPER DRAGON BALL lay in under pressure in the Home Straight. I CAN raced wide and without cover throughout the race. After the race, both H Bowman (MAJESTIC COLOUR) and Z Purton (HYPER DRAGON BALL) could offer no explanation for their mounts’ performance. A veterinary inspection of MAJESTIC COLOUR and HYPER DRAGON BALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, B Avdulla (CIRCUIT MIGHTY) explained that he was obliged to settle his mount further back than he had intended in an effort to gain cover, however, CIRCUIT MIGHTY did not travel comfortably in the middle stages before making ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT MIGHTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of I CAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BLUE MARLIN and OUTGATE were sent for sampling.