10/06/2023  Shatin  Race 4

INSPIRING CITY jumped awkwardly, became unbalanced and lost ground. Shortly after the start, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was hampered when crowded between SMART BEAUTY and THIS IS CHARISMA, both of which shifted ground. Also shortly after the start, NORDIC COMBINED blundered and then was shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages. Near the 350 Metres, TURTLE AGAIN was briefly held up for clear running behind YOUNG SPARKLE. Then near the 250 Metres, TURTLE AGAIN was shifted to the inside of YOUNG SPARKLE to obtain clear running. INSPIRING CITY was inclined to lay out when placed under pressure in the Straight and near the 250 Metres became awkwardly placed on the heels of GIVE WAY PLEASE which raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Near the 200 Metres, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was steadied when crowded by MAXIMIZE HEART (H Bowman) which, after shifting to the inside of PEAK TO PEAK to obtain clear running, was then taken in by that runner before PEAK TO PEAK was corrected by its rider, C Y Ho. H Bowman was advised to exercise care and to ensure that there was sufficient racing room for him to improve into similar runs in future. Near the 50 Metres, GIVE WAY PLEASE which was giving ground, was steadied to avoid INSPIRING CITY which shifted out slightly. When questioned regarding his riding making the Home Turn, Apprentice E C W Wong (WINWIN THIRTYTHREE) stated that after following MAXIMIZE HEART making the Home Turn, he was content to follow that runner as it was one of the main chances in the event. He said as a result he became held up behind MAXIMIZE HEART making the Home Turn before he attempted to improve into a narrow run just prior to straightening. He added that when there was not sufficient room to improve, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE became disappointed and as a result he was obliged to steady WINWIN THIRTYTHREE. When questioned if there was an opportunity to shift to the outside of MAXIMIZE HEART, Apprentice Wong stated that as he felt MAXIMIZE HEART was one of the main chances in the event, he felt this was the best option to follow MAXIMIZE HEART to allow his mount to finish in the best possible placing in the field. The Stewards advised Apprentice Wong that, in their opinion, the option to shift to the outside of MAXIMIZE HEART to follow MASTER OF LUCK was open to him and in the circumstances he should have availed himself of this run. After the race, K Teetan (YOUNG SPARKLE) reported that his mount was inclined to race keenly in the early stages and as a result was left without a finishing effort. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG SPARKLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MAXIMIZE HEART and PEAK TO PEAK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GIVE WAY PLEASE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. MAXIMIZE HEART, MASTER OF LUCK and TRAVEL GLORY were sent for sampling.