12/02/2024  Shatin  Race 3

PARTERRE (E234): Sent for sampling post-race. EASY SNIP (G211): Crowded on jumping. PATCH OF THETA (H485): Leaving the 900 Metres was steadied away from URBAN TRIUMPH. When questioned, K De Melo stated that he had anticipated taking up a midfield position, but when caught wide in the early stages and when there was interference to his inside approaching the first turn, he elected to come back to obtain cover. When questioned regarding his riding making the Home Turn and as to whether there was an opportunity to improve to the outside of GOLDEN LINK sooner than what he did, K De Melo stated that as GOLDEN LINK had been inclined to shift ground, he was reluctant to commit to improve past that runner until he was sure his mount would secure clear running. He added after the 500 Metres when GOLDEN LINK shifted in, he then immediately elected to shift to that runner’s outside where he was able to secure clear running on straightening and PATCH OF THETA ran home strongly. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey De Melo were reasonable in the circumstances. Sent for sampling post-race. FUNG (J101): Bumped shortly after the start. Raced greenly in the early stages and near the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid GOLDEN LINK (Apprentice E C W Wong) which shifted in when not quite clear. Apprentice Wong was advised to exercise more care. Leaving the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid URBAN TRIUMPH when that runner shifted out. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MARIO (J100): Jumped only fairly. Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when being steadied away from SIGHT VICTORY which shifted in. MASTER MASTERMIND (J024): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start. Approaching the 1100 Metres, when being shifted in, Z Purton dropped his right rein for a short distance before regathering it. Approaching the 900 Metres was bumped by URBAN TRIUMPH which shifted in. As a result, MASTER MASTERMIND commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from JAZZ CLUB and ran wide making the turn approaching the 800 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. The racing manners of MASTER MASTERMIND were also considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER MASTERMIND will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Sent for sampling post-race. PACKING WISHER (H448): Jumped only fairly. Near the 900 Metres commenced to race keenly and hung in, resulting in its rider K Teetan having to correct his mount. SUPER GLORY (J025): No report. GOLDEN LINK (D222): No report. SPICY GOLD (H440): Whilst proceeding to the starting gates, L Ferraris was dislodged without incident before remounting SPICY GOLD. Near the 850 Metres, when racing keenly, was steadied to avoid PARTERRE (L Hewitson) which shifted in when not quite clear. L Hewitson was advised to exercise more care. PATCH OF WATCH (H476): Bumped on jumping. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIGHT VICTORY (H378): Towards the finish of the event lay out towards SPICY GOLD and was unbalanced for a short distance. URBAN TRIUMPH (H200): Shortly after the start shifted out and then made contact with PATCH OF WATCH and became unbalanced. Leaving the 1000 Metres blundered when being steadied and then commenced to race keenly thereafter and got its head up when being steadied away from PATCH OF WATCH. A short distance later was hampered when taken wider by MASTER MASTERMIND and as a result lost ground. JAZZ CLUB (G285): No report.