07/04/2024  Shatin  Race 5

HASTEN DELIGHT (J229): Sent for sampling post-race. NORTHERN BEACHES (H266): After the 400 Metres was briefly held up for clear running behind HASTEN DELIGHT. LADY'S CHOICE (H155): Bumped at the start. Near the 150 Metres lay out and made contact with CHAMPION INSTINCT when that runner also shifted in slightly. Approaching the 100 Metres shifted in, requiring its rider Z Purton to correct his mount. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race. CALIFORNIA DEEPLY (G451): Sent for sampling post-race. APOLAR FIGHTER (J169): Jumped awkwardly and then shifted in, making contact with LADY’S CHOICE. CHAMPION INSTINCT (H012): Approaching the 150 Metres bumped with LADY’S CHOICE and became unbalanced. When questioned, A Atzeni stated that he was given no specific instructions other than he had expected to take up a forward position. He stated in the early stages when positioned to the outside of SEA AIR LEGEND, his initial intention was to endeavour to obtain cover behind that runner, but when NORTHERN BEACHES improved to his inside and the early pace of the event was being run outside of standard time, he was unable to do so and raced wide and without cover. He added as a result near the 900 Metres he commenced a forward move to cross SEA AIR LEGEND where he was able to obtain a position in the lead near the 750 Metres. When questioned if there was an opportunity to restrain his mount to race behind LADY’S CHOICE, A Atzeni stated that he felt CHAMPION INSTINCT was racing comfortably and when he was satisfied that the pace of the event was not too quick, he was content to allow his mount to continue to maintain its position in advance of LADY’S CHOICE. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Atzeni were reasonable in the circumstances. SEA AIR LEGEND (H318): When questioned regarding his riding on the Home Turn and the reason his mount shifted out, K Teetan stated that after obtaining a position behind CHAMPION INSTINCT leaving the 600 Metres, his mount came under pressure. He said after being brushed by HASTEN DELIGHT near the 550 Metres, his mount continued to remain under pressure and commenced to lay out, resulting in it shifting ground on the Home Turn. He added that as his mount shifted ground, he was not in a position to make further use of SEA AIR LEGEND to prevent HASTEN DELIGHT from shifting out as he was endeavouring to ensure that his mount raced comfortably through that section of the race. ENDEARED (H161): Raced wide and without cover from the 750 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, ENDEARED will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROBOT MASTER (J107): Jumped only fairly and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.