10/05/2025  Shatin  Race 5

PATCH OF STARS (J343): After being crossed by FORTUNE STAR approaching the 1000 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied to avoid that runner. Briefly held up for clear running approaching the 350 Metres. Sent for sampling post-race. NEVER TOO SOON (E434): Lay in in the early part of the Home Straight and near the 350 Metres was steadied when INNO CENTURY shifted out and away from PATCH OF STARS after initially being taken out by PATCH OF STARS (Z Purton). Z Purton was advised to exercise more care. After the event B Avdulla stated that from an inside barrier his mount was able to hold an on-pace position behind the lead. He added that, in his opinion, NEVER TOO SOON may not have been suited by settling this close as it finished the race off only fairly in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY FIONN (J047): Shortly after the start was bumped by FUN TOGETHER. Sent for sampling post-race. SECOND TO NONE (H319): Near the 200 Metres bumped with FUN TOGETHER due to both runners shifting ground. Raced very wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race L Hewitson reported that the horse was coughing. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SECOND TO NONE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FUN TOGETHER (H041): Blundered on jumping and then shortly after became badly unbalanced when it bumped with E UNIVERSE. Near the 900 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from MAGIC COMBO. When being steadied C L Chau fumbled his whip. Near the 700 Metres was again steadied and shifted out when positioned close to the heels of MAGIC COMBO. Near the 200 Metres bumped with SECOND TO NONE due to both runners shifting ground. CALIFORNIA SUN (J129): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Between the 350 Metres and the 250 Metres was held up for clear running. STAR BROSE (J463): Over-raced in the early stages. FORTUNE STAR (K003): After the event L Ferraris stated that it was not the intention to lead as he had expected a stronger early pace. He said after jumping well he was able to cross runners to his inside which resulted in FORTUNE STAR leading without having to be pressured to do so. BEAUTY LIVE (G057): No report. MAGIC COMBO (K213): No report. ARDEN (J505): Jumped only fairly. From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running. Near the 300 Metres was shifted to the inside of LUCKY FIONN to obtain clear running. ARDEN then lay out under pressure for the remainder of the event and approaching the winning post shifted out, resulting in its rider J Orman having to correct his mount. INNO CENTURY (K113): After the event A Atzeni stated that the intention was to obtain cover. He said when the early and middle stages were run outside of standard time INNO CENTURY was positioned outside the lead without cover. He added with INNO CENTURY stepping up to 1400 Metres it was then left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight which he attributed to the horse not being able to obtain cover. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. E UNIVERSE (H151): Jumped awkwardly, shifted in, made heavy contact with FUN TOGETHER and became unbalanced. When questioned Apprentice E C W Wong stated that the instructions were not to make too much use of his mount in the early stages as E UNIVERSE was stepping up to 1400 Metres today. He said in the early stages when positioned to the outside of FORTUNE STAR and INNO CENTURY he was reluctant to continue to allow his mount to stride forward as he felt this would be contrary to his instructions. He said as a result E UNIVERSE was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event before giving ground in the Home Straight. Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions but had hoped that E UNIVERSE would be able to lead the event and agreed that the horse was disadvantaged by being obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After considering Apprentice Wong’s explanation and taking into account the times of the event which identified the race was run outside of standard time in the early stages, he was advised, in the opinion of the Stewards, he would have been better suited by allowing E UNIVERSE to continue forward to cross INNO CENTURY to avoid covering additional ground. SMILING COLLECTOR (G128): Had its right front plate refitted in the Parade Ring. Was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Raced keenly in the early stages.