07/04/2024  Shatin  Race 3

GOLDEN EMPIRE (E490): After the race, H Bowman stated that his mount failed to travel at any stage of the event although he was obliged to race wide and without cover. He added in the Home Straight when he felt there may have been something amiss with his mount, he eased it down from the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GOLDEN EMPIRE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN EMPIRE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EIGHTY LIGHT YEARS (H170): Sent for sampling post-race. GRATEFUL HEART (D278): No report. GRACIOUS EXPRESS (J188): Sent for sampling post-race. FASHION LEGEND (J080): In the middle stages raced keenly and for some distance near the 700 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from E LEGEND. KA YING VICTORY (H287): When questioned regarding his riding, B Avdulla stated that he was instructed to ride KA YING VICTORY in a conservative manner in the early stages as it did at its most recent barrier trials on 15 and 26 March 2024. He said as a result he elected in the early stages to obtain a position behind GRACIOUS EXPRESS where his mount travelled well. He said in the Home Straight his preference was to shift to the outside of GRACIOUS EXPRESS to improve as he was concerned that had he improved to the inside of that runner, KA YING VICTORY may have experienced difficulty obtaining clear running due to both GRACIOUS EXPRESS and EIGHTY LIGHT YEARS being favourite runners. He added when PARTERRE did not improve into the event he was then momentarily held up behind GRACIOUS EXPRESS near the 300 Metres before shifting to that runner’s inside at the 200 Metres to secure clear running where his mount found the line well. Trainer D J Hall confirmed the instructions issued and advised that he had instructed B Avdulla to ride KA YING VICTORY in a conservative manner in the early stages as it had finished off both barrier trials well when being ridden in that manner. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PARTERRE (E234): No report. E LEGEND (G028): After the race, K De Melo could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHTEOUS ARION (H059): Slow to begin. After the race, M Chadwick reported that his mount travelled only fairly throughout the early and middle stages when positioned towards the rail and behind runners. He stated that after being shifted to the outside near the 300 Metres RIGHTEOUS ARION found the line strongly.