27/02/2022  Shatin  Race 8

ROCKET SPADE and TURIN REDSUN bumped at the start. INTREPID WINNER and MONEY CATCHER also bumped on jumping. SENOR TOBA began only fairly. From wide barriers, GORYTUS and THE IRISHMAN were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Passing the 1500 Metres, IMA SINGLE MAN got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind CALIFORNIA SPANGLE. Approaching the 1000 Metres, NORDIC SKY became unbalanced of its own accord and brushed the running rail. IMA SINGLE MAN lay in under pressure approaching and passing the 200 Metres. For the majority of the race, INTREPID WINNER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K Teetan (ROMANTIC WARRIOR) stated that from barrier 13 he was asked to ride the horse where it was comfortable. He said it was felt that ROMANTIC WARRIOR would have sufficient natural speed to be able to roll forward in the early stages and it was hoped that the horse, which was stepping up to 1800 Metres for the first time today, may be able to obtain a position with some cover behind the speed. He said ROMANTIC WARRIOR began well and he commenced to shift his mount across behind runners with a view to initially obtaining cover behind MONEY CATCHER. He said he was able to briefly obtain partial cover behind that horse approaching the 1200 Metres, however, when MONEY CATCHER shifted across to race outside CALIFORNIA SPANGLE, this resulted in ROMANTIC WARRIOR being left racing in a four wide position without cover. He said he did give consideration to allowing ROMANTIC WARRIOR to improve its position at this time, but he felt that INTREPID WINNER would be ridden to maintain its position to the inside of ROMANTIC WARRIOR which may have resulted in the horse either being left racing outside that horse or having to do too much work to cross that horse which may result in ROMANTIC WARRIOR not being able to finish the race off trying the distance for the first time today. He said he had hoped to obtain a position behind INTREPID WINNER and in front of FA FA and after momentarily obtaining cover behind INTREPID WINNER approaching the 1100 Metres, FA FA was then ridden along to improve its position to the inside of ROMANTIC WARRIOR which resulted in him not being able to obtain the position behind INTREPID WINNER and in front of FA FA. He added that when it was no longer possible for him to obtain cover behind INTREPID WINNER and as the first turn was approaching, ROMANTIC WARRIOR was then required to race four wide and without cover as he did not believe it was in the best interests of the horse’s chances to finish the race off were it to be ridden forward around the turn. Mr C S Shum, trainer of ROMANTIC WARRIOR, confirmed that he had instructed Jockey Teetan to attempt to obtain a position with cover behind the speed as he did not want ROMANTIC WARRIOR to be giving up too much start to CALIFORNIA SPANGLE which he considered to be ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s main danger. He said he noted that the sectionals of the race until the 1200 Metres were inside standard and therefore he was satisfied with Jockey Teetan’s decision not to press forward after being unable to obtain cover. K Teetan was advised that his explanation would be reported. A veterinary inspection of IMA SINGLE MAN and FA FA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and TURIN REDSUN were sent for sampling.