26/02/2023  Shatin  Race 6

BEAUTY MISSION jumped awkwardly and lost ground. On jumping LADY’S CHOICE was crowded by YOUNG SPARKLE which was taken in by THUNDERBOLTAURUS which shifted in after jumping awkwardly. ROMANTIC LAOS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From wide barriers, WAR WEAPON and CHILL WAY were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LIFELINE VISION was held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres. For a short distance after the 350 Metres, THE HULK experienced difficulty obtaining clear running. ROMANTIC LAOS became held up for clear running from the 250 Metres and near the 150 Metres was shifted to the outside of BLISSFUL STAR to secure a tight run between BLISSFUL STAR and BEAUTY MISSION, resulting in BEAUTY MISSION having to be steadied when awkwardly placed between LIFELINE VISION and ROMANTIC LAOS. After the 100 Metres, ROMANTIC LAOS was then shifted to the outside of THUNDERBOLTAURUS to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, GOOD NEWS shifted out, resulting in LIFELINE VISION being taken out slightly. Approaching the winning post, THUNDERBOLTAURUS was eased when crowded between WAR WEAPON and LIFELINE VISION and as a result was unable to be ridden out to the finish of the race. BEAUTY MISSION raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding her riding of GOOD NEWS in the early part of the Straight, J Kah stated that her instructions today, which were consistent with her instructions last start, were to hold GOOD NEWS up in the early part of the Straight as GOOD NEWS only has a short sprint. She said as a result after improving to the outside of BEAUTY MISSION on straightening, she held her mount together in accordance with her instructions and near the 300 Metres commenced to place GOOD NEWS under full pressure. She added that GOOD NEWS initially responded to her riding from that point, however, near the 100 Metres its run came to an end confirming the belief of the connections that GOOD NEWS has a short sprint. She said given the manner in which GOOD NEWS finished the race off today, it may be better suited by being ridden in a more conservative manner throughout the early and middle stages of its next race start. The Stewards found that the tactics adopted by Jockey Kah were reasonable and consistent with the manner in which GOOD NEWS was ridden at its most recent start. A veterinary inspection of THUNDERBOLTAURUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THUNDERBOLTAURUS, UNPRESUMING and GOOD NEWS were sent for sampling.