05/11/2023  Shatin  Race 8

MERCHANT PRINCE (H268): When being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover near the 850 Metres became awkwardly placed close to DASHING GLORY and was steadied. Hampered and taken wider after the 400 Metres. IMPERIAL MAGEE (E460): After the 400 Metres was steadied away from MERCHANT PRINCE when that runner was taken out by CYBER PATCH which in turn shifted out and away from CIRCUIT NINE after being bumped by that runner. Noted to have sustained a wound to the right front hoof. BEATO (H090): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start. Approaching the 350 Metres improved into a run between DASHING GLORY and CIRCUIT NINE where there was doubtful room, resulting in BEATO making heavy contact with CIRCUIT NINE for some distance thereafter as DASHING GLORY also shifted out slightly. Apprentice Y L Chung was severely reprimanded and advised he must ensure there is sufficient room to improve in similar circumstances and he should show better judgement than what he did on this occasion. After obtaining clear running between DASHING GLORY and CIRCUIT NINE near the 250 Metres, BEATO continued to race tight to the inside of CIRCUIT NINE and made contact with that runner for some distance after the 200 Metres. BEATO was then able to secure clear running to the inside of CHILLI BABA approaching the 150 Metres when CHILLI BABA shifted out. Sent for sampling post-race. ALWAYS FLUKE (H252): After the race, L Hewitson reported that due to today’s racing pattern, he was instructed to obtain a more forward position and he attributed the horse’s disappointing performance to the manner in which it was ridden today. He added he recommended to connections that the horse to be ridden quietly in the early stages in its future starts if the circumstances permit. Trainer K W Lui confirmed the instructions issued and concurred with Jockey Hewitson’s view. Mr Lui stated that the horse will be ridden in a conservative manner in the early stages in its future starts. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that there was blood at the left nostril after the race. An endoscopic examination found that there was no blood in its trachea and therefore was deemed not to have bled. The performance of ALWAYS FLUKE was considered to be disappointing as compared to its previous starts. Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS FLUKE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PINS PRINCE (G013): Sent for sampling post-race. CHILLI BABA (G339): Slow to begin. ROBOT FIGHTER (H309): Shortly after the start bumped with CYBER PATCH and became unbalanced. CIRCUIT NINE (G140): Bumped by BEATO between the 350 Metres and the 250 Metres and again between the 200 Metres and the 150 Metres. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, M Chadwick viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were sufficient grounds for a protest/objection against BEATO being declared the second placegetter. When Jockey Chadwick was satisfied that there were not sufficient grounds and the Stewards were similarly satisfied, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.. RIVER VIEWS (G212): After the race, K Teetan reported that he had to make some use of his mount to clear DASHING GLORY to his inside in the early stages and as a result the horse was not able to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. URBAN TRIUMPH (H200): Jumped only fairly and was steadied when crowded for room shortly after. After the race, L Ferraris reported that his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise and he had some concern with its action during the event. The performance of URBAN TRIUMPH, which finished tailed out on the second occasion in recent starts, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, URBAN TRIUMPH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CYBER PATCH (H158): Crowded at the start. After the 400 Metres was bumped and became unbalanced. MAXIMIZE HEART (D311): Shortly after the start was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced. For some distance after the 350 Metres was held up when positioned behind YOUNG HORIZON. Approaching the 250 Metres was then shifted to the outside of YOUNG HORIZON but then became held up for clear running behind ALWAYS FLUKE and was not able to be fully tested until near the 100 Metres. YOUNG HORIZON (G272): When questioned regarding his riding in the early part of the Home Straight and the reason as to why PINS PRINCE (Z Purton) was able to secure clear running to his inside, B Avdulla stated that soon after the 400 Metres YOUNG HORIZON came under pressure and commenced to lay in. He stated as a result he corrected YOUNG HORIZON and as it was giving ground YOUNG HORIZON shifted out slightly when being corrected by him. He added that given the manner in which YOUNG HORIZON was yielding ground, he did not continue to push his mount along and YOUNG HORIZON then weakened over the final 250 Metres. After considering his explanations and taking evidence from Jockey Purton, B Avdulla was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to ride his mounts in a manner so as to leave no room for query. DASHING GLORY (G397): In the early and middle stages raced keenly and for some distance after the 900 Metres was steadied away from ALWAYS FLUKE.