16/07/2023  Shatin  Race 2

ERNEST FEELING jumped awkwardly and lost ground. INSPIRING CITY jumped only fairly. DOUBLE SHOW also jumped only fairly and was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. YOUNG SPARKLE over-raced in the early stages. FORTUNE MASTER was held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and the 350 Metres. Approaching the 350 Metres, ERNEST FEELING was bumped by SUPER HORNET which lay in. A short distance later, ERNEST FEELING was steadied when disappointed for clear running between JOYFUL CHAMPION and FORTUNE MASTER which shifted to the outside of VANTASTIC CHOICE to obtain clear running. As a result, ERNEST FEELING was shifted to the outside of JOYFUL CHAMPION where it obtained clear running approaching the 300 Metres. Inside the 50 Metres, STARSHIP EIGHTY endeavoured to improve into a narrow run between STAR OF YUEN LONG and NOBLE ACE. A short distance later, STARSHIP EIGHTY was steadied when crowded by NOBLE ACE which shifted in, resulting in STARSHIP EIGHTY shifting in and bumping STAR OF YUEN LONG and STARSHIP EIGHTY not being able to be ridden out to the finish of the event when it became positioned close to MASTER OF LUCK. JOYFUL CHAMPION raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Z Purton was found guilty of a charge under Rule 155(5) of having improperly struck VANTASTIC CHOICE after dismounting from that runner. He was fined the sum of $20,000. When questioned regarding his riding out of NOBLE ACE, H Bowman stated that inside the 50 Metres he became concerned that something may be amiss with his mount when it commenced to give ground and as a result he did not ride out NOBLE ACE to the finish of the event. After considering his explanation, the Stewards advised Jockey Bowman that he would be required to report any incident in the race to the Stewards immediately following the event to allow them to take the appropriate measures and so as to verify his evidence. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE ACE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, NOBLE ACE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, L Hewitson (INSPIRING CITY) stated that his mount raced too keenly in the early stages and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of INSPIRING CITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, B Avdulla (DOUBLE SHOW) stated that his mount failed to travel at any stage of the event and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of DOUBLE SHOW immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SUPER HORNET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ERNEST FEELING and VANTASTIC CHOICE were sent for sampling.