16/10/2022  Shatin  Race 8

At the time of declaration, C L Chau notified a probable overweight of 2 lbs in respect of CHEERFUL DAYS’ allocated weight of 115 lbs. C L Chau then weighed in an additional 1 lb overweight, resulting in Jockey Chau weighing in 3 lbs over the horse’s allocated weight. Jockey Chau was fined the sum of $7,500. SENOR TOBA was slow to begin. From wide barriers, PANFIELD, WAIKUKU and BEAUTY JOY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1400 Metres, SENOR TOBA lost ground when crowded for room inside PANFIELD which got it head on the side and lay in away from WAIKUKU which at this time was racing tight inside BEAUTY JOY (L Currie) which shifted in before being directed back out abruptly to relieve the crowding to WAIKUKU. As the Stewards were of the opinion that the crowding to SENOR TOBA was primarily a result of PANFIELD laying in away from WAIKUKU, no further action was taken other than L Currie being reprimanded for shifting in, resulting in WAIKUKU racing unnecessarily tight inside BEAUTY JOY. After this incident, BEAUTY JOY over-raced and travelled wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. After the 1100 Metres, TOURBILLON DIAMOND was left racing wide and without cover. SAVVY NINE (R Maia) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 300 Metres R Maia dropped his whip. At the 300 Metres, EXCELLENT PROPOSAL was shifted to the inside of TURIN REDSUN after being disappointed for running between that horse and WAIKUKU. After the 300 Metres, BUTTERFIELD had some difficulty obtaining clear running and was then awkwardly placed inside the heels of SAVVY NINE passing the 200 Metres. When questioned, C L Chau stated that it was intended for CHEERFUL DAYS to be ridden more forward today than is usually the case due to the number of backmarkers which were engaged in the race. He said it was felt that, from barrier 11, if CHEERFUL DAYS were to be shifted across behind runners, the horse would have too much to do in the Straight, therefore he was asked to have CHEERFUL DAYS in a more forward position but racing with cover if possible. He said when shifting across with CALIFORNIA SPANGLE, runners which were positioned to the inside of CHEERFUL DAYS were all being steadied approaching and passing the 1400 Metres, therefore he was required to allow his mount to improve forward of SAVVY NINE which resulted in CHEERFUL DAYS not being able to obtain cover. After the race, SAVVY NINE was reported to have sustained a minor laceration to the left hind heel. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and TOURBILLON DIAMOND were sent for sampling.