19/06/2022  Shatin  Race 5

Whilst in the saddling stalls, SAVVY NINE had a nail in its right front plate replaced. SAVVY NINE was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers and passed suitable to race. MIGHTY GIANT was slow to begin. TOURBILLON DIAMOND and BERLIN TANGO bumped at the start. From the outside barriers, EXCELLENT PROPOSAL, SAVVY NINE and BUTTERFIELD were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Rounding the Home Turn, COLUMBUS COUNTY raced in restricted room between BUTTERFIELD and TURIN REDSUN. In the early part of the Straight, BUTTERFIELD got its head on the side and lay in towards the heels of TOURBILLON DIAMOND. Approaching the 200 Metres, CHAMPION’S WAY shifted out and raced tight inside the hindquarters of TOURBILLON DIAMOND. Close to the finishing line, EXCELLENT PROPOSAL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KA YING STAR when being shifted to the outside of that horse. Because of this, EXCELLENT PROPOSAL was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned regarding his riding of TURIN REDSUN after the 700 Metres, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to obtain a position behind the speed in the early stages. He said he was able to obtain a good position behind CHAMPION’S WAY in the early stages and then continued to follow that horse rounding the turn after the 900 Metres. He said after the 650 Metres he was aware that TOURBILLON DIAMOND was commencing to improve its position around TURIN REDSUN, however, as he was of the view that CHAMPION’S WAY was a horse which would take him into the race, he elected not to shift to the outside of that horse as he felt that shifting out into a position without cover at the 600 Metres and commencing his run may be too early and which would not allow TURIN REDSUN to close the race off. He said he therefore elected to remain racing behind CHAMPION’S WAY and allowed TOURBILLON DIAMOND to improve around his mount near the 600 Metres. He added that after the 500 Metres he commenced to shift out to follow TOURBILLON DIAMOND, however, COLUMBUS COUNTY was improving its position to the outside of TURIN REDSUN and as that horse was racing tight inside BUTTERFIELD, he was not able to shift out. He said at the entrance to the Straight he was able to shift out to race behind TOURBILLON DIAMOND and attempted to improve to the outside of that horse, however, BUTTERFIELD improved its position around TURIN REDSUN which resulted in him not being able to shift out at this time. He said TURIN REDSUN then had difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 100 Metres after which the horse finished the race off strongly. M F Poon further stated that in preparing for today’s race he had noted that at its last start TURIN REDSUN had reached the lead near the 300 Metres, however, in his opinion, then did not finish the race off strongly over the latter stages to finish in third position. He added that given what eventuated rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight he was of the opinion that TURIN REDSUN’s best interests would have been better served by being shifted to the outside of CHAMPION’S WAY approaching the 600 Metres, however, maintained that at the time he was of the opinion that CHAMPION’S WAY would be able to take him into the race and reiterated his concern about TURIN REDSUN having to commence its run from the 600 Metres. The Stewards contacted Mr D J Whyte, the trainer of TURIN REDSUN, who was not able to be on course for today’s meeting. Mr Whyte expressed disappointment that TURIN REDSUN was not shifted to the outside of CHAMPION’S WAY when the opportunity presented itself approaching the 600 Metres. M F Poon was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in not commencing to shift to the outside of CHAMPION’S WAY approaching the 600 Metres which would not have allowed TOURBILLON DIAMOND the opportunity to improve around TURIN REDSUN. He was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he positions his mounts in such a manner to allow them the best opportunity to improve into the race at the appropriate time and to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of EXCELLENT PROPOSAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TOURBILLON DIAMOND and TURIN REDSUN were sent for sampling.