17/05/2020  Shatin  Race 3

HAVE FUN TOGETHER was crowded for room on jumping between DREAM WARRIORS and STRONG PROMISE which, after being bumped by FORTUNE HAPPINESS, shifted out away from that horse. In this incident, DREAM WARRIORS became badly unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by HAVE FUN TOGETHER. DRAGON HAS LANDED shifted out at the start and bumped XIANG LAN QI. After this, from the outside barrier, XIANG LAN QI was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. SMART CHARADE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, STRONG PROMISE got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of FORTUNE HAPPINESS. Passing the 600 Metres, SMART CHARADE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUDY’S STAR. Passing the 400 Metres, DREAM WARRIORS got its head on the side and lay in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of STRONG PROMISE which was shifted to the outside of SPEEDY DRAGON to obtain clear running. DREAM WARRIORS was then shifted to the inside of STRONG PROMISE near the 350 Metres. SUPER EIGHTEEN was held up for clear running until passing the 350 Metres. After the 300 Metres, STRONG PROMISE and FORTUNE HAPPINESS bumped. Passing the 200 Metres, FORTUNE HAPPINESS raced tight inside JUDY’S STAR. Near the 150 Metres, HAVE FUN TOGETHER was shifted out from behind DRAGON HAS LANDED and DREAMS WARRIORS to obtain clear running. DREAM WARRIORS had some difficulty obtaining clear running over the concluding stages. HAVE FUN TOGETHER lost its left hind plate at the 50 Metres. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered whether ADONIS had been afforded a fair start. After interviewing T H So, the rider of ADONIS, and viewing the videos, it was established that the horse, which had been standing well in the barriers, became fractious as the start was effected and after becoming fractious turned its head to the left and into the adjoining stall. Because of this, ADONIS lost a considerable amount of ground and effectively took no part in the race. As the Stewards were satisfied that ADONIS had caused its own problems by becoming fractious as the start was effected, they ruled that that horse had been afforded a fair start and accordingly was deemed to be a runner. Before being allowed to race again, ADONIS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. When questioned, J Moreira stated that he was instructed to ride SPEEDY DRAGON in about a midfield position from barrier 10 if possible. He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages, SPEEDY DRAGON was left racing very wide after the 1100 Metres and as it was not available for him to obtain a midfield position, he then elected to ride SPEEDY DRAGON along and obtain a trailing position behind the leaders rather than covering unnecessary ground. He said this resulted in SPEEDY DRAGON being ridden in a more prominent position today than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON HAS LANDED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JUDY’S STAR and WOOD ON FIRE were sent for sampling.