10/03/2024  Shatin  Race 7

LUCKY SWEYNESSE (G180): When questioned regarding his riding, J McDonald stated that his instructions were that if his mount commenced well, to endeavour to hold a forward position but otherwise he was asked to obtain cover on the horse. He said after HEALTHY HAPPY, which was positioned directly to his inside, jumped better than LUCKY SWEYNESSE, he elected to then ride his mount with the intent to find cover. He said in the early stages with BEAUTY ETERNAL positioned to his inside, he was caught three wide to the outside of that runner and then near the 1200 Metres elected to obtain cover. He added when BEAUTY ETERNAL shifted out near the 1100 Metres he was then obliged to restrain LUCKY SWEYNESSE and take a position with cover towards the rear of the field. He said although he was aware the pace of the event was being run outside of standard in the middle stages, he felt that obtaining cover was the best option for his mount. He further stated that from near the 550 Metres he commenced a three wide move and after being taken wider on the Home Turn by BEAUTY ETERNAL, LUCKY SWEYNESSE finished the race off reasonably well. Trainer K L Man confirmed the instructions as detailed by Jockey McDonald. He stated that although the pace of the event was run outside of standard throughout the early and middle stages, he was satisfied with Jockey McDonald’s decision to come back and obtain cover behind BEAUTY ETERNAL to avoid racing wide. Sent for sampling post-race. CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (E314): Noted to have blood in its mouth on arrival at the Start, examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. After the race, Trainer A S Cruz stated that whilst the track was still rated "Good”, CALIFORNIA SPANGLE was advantaged by the track having some give in it due to light rain that had fallen prior to the running of the event. Sent for sampling post-race. BEAUTY ETERNAL (H008): Bumped at the start and then raced tight to the inside of HEALTHY HAPPY for a short distance after the start. When being shifted behind LUCKY WITH YOU in the early stages was steadied away from the heels of that runner approaching the 1200 Metres. After being bumped by LUCKY SWEYNESSE leaving the 1200 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from LUCKY WITH YOU for some distance before shifting out near the 1100 Metres to avoid that runner’s heels. When placed under pressure in the Home Straight lay in, resulting in its rider Z Purton having to correct his mount near the 200 Metres and being placed in some disadvantage in riding his mount out fully to the end of the race. BEAUTY JOY (E058): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the middle stages got its head up. For a short distance after the 500 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running. LUCKY WITH YOU (E356): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEALTHY HAPPY (D435): Bumped at the start. TAJ DRAGON (H164): Over the final 200 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when positioned behind and to the inside of HEALTHY HAPPY. After the race, H Bowman reported that near the 1000 Metres his mount dipped and became unbalanced for a short distance afterwards. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SON PAK FU (G265): No report. RED LION (H115): Over the concluding stages raced tight to the inside of CALIFORNIA SPANGLE. GALAXY PATCH (H399): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Sent for sampling post-race.