25/02/2024  Shatin  Race 1

KIMBERLEY (H329): On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to KIMBERLEY was replaced. Jumped awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with TOTAL POWER. Lay out over the concluding stages and bumped with DARCI JOY inside the 50 Metres. After the race, Z Purton reported that when his mount jumped awkwardly, it resulted in his left foot making contact with the barrier. Sent for sampling post-race. ROMANTIC FANTASY (H168): After the race, A Badel stated that he was able to hold the lead, but throughout the middle stages was pressured by CIRCUIT BLAZING which resulted in ROMANTIC FANTASY not being able to finish the race off strongly. TOTAL POWER (D138): Bumped at the start and became unbalanced. After the race, H Bowman could offer no excuse for his mount’s failure to run on in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DARCI JOY (E161): Jumped awkwardly, shifted out and was bumped. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, J McDonald viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were grounds for protest/objection against KIMBERLEY due to KIMBERLEY shifting out inside the 50 Metres, making contact with DARCI JOY, resulting in J McDonald becoming unbalanced. When J McDonald declined to lodge a protest/objection and the Stewards were satisfied that there were not sufficient grounds having regards to the half-length margin between the two horses at the finish, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Sent for sampling post-race. CIRCUIT BLAZING (H479): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPECIAL HEDGE (H354): When questioned, C L Chau stated that with his mount leading last time and not running out a strong 2000 Metres as it raced too keenly, he was asked to ride SPECIAL HEDGE with cover today. He said after following CIRCUIT BLAZING throughout the event, he then maintained his position behind that runner on the Home Turn as he felt that JUBILATION, which had been obliged to race wide and without cover, was not travelling well. He added that when CIRCUIT BLAZING came under pressure from the 500 Metres, he shifted to the outside of that runner, but then became held up behind JUBILATION for some distance thereafter. He said near the 350 Metres he was able to shift to the inside of JUBILATION where SPECIAL HEDGE secured clear running. Trainer T P Yung confirmed the instructions issued and the reason as to why he issued such instructions. WINNING STEPS (G420): Crowded on jumping. MANAGEMENT FOLKS (E496): Slow to begin. PAKISTAN FRIEND (B370): No report. FOREVER FOLKS (G463): After the race, A Hamelin reported that his mount failed to travel at any stage of the event and was under pressure in the middle stages to hold its position at the rear of the field. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JUBILATION (G029): Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. STARSHIP EIGHTY (H022): Jumped only fairly.