26/09/2021  Shatin  Race 3

GREAT KING began very awkwardly and bumped the outside of its gate, resulting in GREAT KING losing ground. HANG’S DECISION shifted out at the start and bumped LITTLE PLAYER. LOYAL BABY began awkwardly. UNICORNBABY began only fairly and then after being ridden along in the early stages was slow to muster speed. From wide barriers, DARCI JOY and SUN OF MAKFI were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, DARCI JOY was momentarily crowded for room between HANG’S DECISION and SUN OF MAKFI which shifted in. After being crossed by SUN OF MAKFI, DARCI JOY got its head up when racing close to the heels of that horse passing the 1000 Metres. Making the turn approaching the 900 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER was awkwardly placed behind FORTUNE MASTER which was steadied after racing in restricted room between UNICORNBABY and GREEN ENVY which itself was racing tight inside the heels of LOYAL BABY. UNICORNBABY brushed the running rail approaching the 900 Metres. After the 200 Metres, HANG’S DECISION raced tight inside the heels of DARCI JOY when improving into tight running between that horse and SUN OF MAKFI. After the 100 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER lay out under pressure. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the opinion that an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether HANG’S DECISION (H N Wong) and DARCI JOY (A Hamelin) should have dead heated for third placing. It was found that near the 25 Metres HANG’S DECISION and DARCI JOY brushed due to a minimal shift from DARCI JOY. This resulted in DARCI JOY becoming unbalanced and passing the winning post shifting in and bumping HANG’S DECISION. As the Stewards formed the view that the two horses brushing near the 25 Metres had no consequence on their finishing position and that the latter contact was passing the winning post, they did not proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing. Whilst it did not have any bearing on the decision of the Stewards, it should be noted that neither H N Wong nor A Hamelin lodged a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of those horses. After the race, K Teetan reported that whilst he had to make some use of LOYAL BABY in the early stages to obtain a forward position, his mount initially travelled satisfactorily, however, came under pressure passing the 500 Metres. He said at this stage GOLDEN BOLT and SUNNY DELIGHT were able to improve their position forward of LOYAL BABY and his mount was not able to improve with those horses. He said at the entrance to the Straight LOYAL BABY came under pressure and then was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of LOYAL BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of UNICORNBABY and FORTUNE MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN BOLT and SUNNY DELIGHT were sent for sampling.