12/03/2022  Shatin  Race 10

E STAR shifted in at the start and bumped HINCHINLOVE which in turn shifted in and bumped ROMAN TURBO. From the outside barriers, CIRCUIT THREE and BAND OF BROTHERS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. IGNITING was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. HIGHLAND FORTUNE lost its left hind plate in the early stages. ROMAN TURBO got its head up and travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover approaching and passing the 1100 Metres. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, WIND N GRASS got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD LUCK FRIEND (K C Leung) which shifted in when not properly clear. K C Leung was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear of other runners when shifting ground in similar circumstances. In this incident, WIND N GRASS brushed the running rail. Also making the turn near the 900 Metres, MASTER MONTARO was steadied away from the heels of ROMAN TURBO. CAPTAIN WIN, which was racing to the outside of MASTER MONTARO, commenced to over-race and made the turn at the 900 Metres awkwardly. BEAUTY FIT, which was following MASTER MONTARO, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After the 900 Metres, HIGHLAND FORTUNE (H Bentley) was left racing wide and without cover. After the race, H Bentley stated that although required to race wide and without cover, HIGHLAND FORTUNE was not comfortable in its action and after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn its action deteriorated noticeably. He said after placing HIGHLAND FORTUNE under limited pressure after the 400 Metres, the horse commenced to give ground and as he was concerned with the horse’s action, he did not ride it out over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of HIGHLAND FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Given HIGHLAND FORTUNE’s recent racing history and the reports made by riders who had ridden the horse previously, the Stewards will interview Mr K W Lui, the trainer of HIGHLAND FORTUNE, in the presence of Dr B S Forbes, Head of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy, regarding the racing future of the horse. In the meantime, the Stewards ruled that HIGHLAND FORTUNE is not eligible to be entered for races. MASTER MONTARO was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. E STAR had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then approaching the 100 Metres was shifted to the inside of THE GOLDEN SCENERY after being held up for clear running behind that horse. Then close to the finishing line, E STAR was checked away from the heels of CAPTAIN WIN when badly held up behind that horse. When being checked away from the heels of CAPTAIN WIN, E STAR shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of THE GOLDEN SCENERY which became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING METHOD. Because of this, THE GOLDEN SCENERY was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, V Borges stated that after the 400 Metres BEAUTY FIT was held up for clear running behind HINCHINLOVE and inside WIND N GRASS. He said as there was no running available to the outside of HINCHINLOVE near the 350 Metres due to WIND N GRASS maintaining its position to the outside of that horse, he elected to direct BEAUTY FIT to the inside of GOOD LUCK FRIEND as that horse shifted out marginally. He said at the 300 Metres he improved to be racing inside the heels of GOOD LUCK FRIEND and whilst there was not room for a full horse width at this time to the inside of that horse, he was hopeful that GOOD LUCK FRIEND would shift out sufficiently to allow BEAUTY FIT to obtain clear running to the inside of that horse. He said he was able to improve to be racing approximately three quarters of a length inside GOOD LUCK FRIEND, however, clear running did not eventuate to the inside of that horse passing the 300 Metres. He added that whilst he was aware that HINCHINLOVE had shifted out passing the 300 Metres when commencing to give ground, he had committed BEAUTY FIT to the run inside GOOD LUCK FRIEND and he believed that having to steady his mount and shift to the outside of GOOD LUCK FRIEND would result in BEAUTY FIT losing momentum and having to give up too much ground to be able to finish in the placings. He said therefore he continued to pursue the run inside GOOD LUCK FRIEND, however, that horse did not shift out sufficiently for BEAUTY FIT to obtain clear running until the concluding stages, this resulted in BEAUTY FIT being badly held up for clear running and not being able to be properly tested. A veterinary inspection of ROMAN TURBO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE GOLDEN SCENERY, WINNING METHOD and CAPTAIN WIN were sent for sampling.