01/05/2022  Shatin  Race 7

ACCELERANDO was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, ACCELERANDO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CHEVALIER PRINCE began only fairly. CELESTIAL WARRIOR shifted in at the start and inconvenienced STUNNING IMPACT. Shortly after the start, SHINY TWO shifted in and bumped DECISIVE ACTION. From the outside barrier, PALACE PAL was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, DECISIVE ACTION commenced to travel keenly and got its head up for a short distance. After the 1200 Metres, CELESTIAL WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 550 Metres, PALACE PAL raced tight outside DECISIVE ACTION which shifted out to commence improving, Passing the 50 Metres, CELESTIAL WARRIOR raced tight outside EVER LAUGH which lay out under pressure. When questioned, L Hewitson stated that he was asked to ride NICHOLSON RETURNS positively today from a wide barrier to obtain a forward position. He said it was hoped that NICHOLSON RETURNS would either be able to lead or sit outside the leader, however, if the horse did not show sufficient pace to be able to do that, then he should obtain as forward a position as possible with cover. He said prior to its most recent start at Happy Valley, he had ridden the horse in a barrier trial and NICHOLSON RETURNS had performed well in that trial when ridden in a forward position. He said it was therefore initially intended for NICHOLSON RETURNS to be ridden positively at its last start subsequent to the barrier trial. He said however that when NICHOLSON RETURNS drew barrier 11 at its most recent race, it was felt that with a relatively short run to the first turn at Happy Valley, too much use might have had to be made of the horse to obtain a forward position and accordingly it was decided to ride NICHOLSON RETURNS quietly to allow the horse the best opportunity to finish the race off. He added that although NICHOLSON RETURNS again drew wide in today’s race, with a much longer run to the first turn, it was felt that the horse would have sufficient opportunity to be able to obtain a forward position. Mr D J Hall, trainer of NICHOLSON RETURNS, said that he had wished for the horse to be ridden in a forward position two starts back at Sha Tin on 20 March 2022 and was disappointed that the rider of NICHOLSON RETURNS did not persist for longer in attempting to obtain a forward position in the early stages. He said after that race he barrier trialed NICHOLSON RETURNS and was satisfied with the manner in which the horse performed when ridden early to obtain a forward position. He said when NICHOLSON RETURNS drew wide at its most recent start at Happy Valley, he was concerned that if the horse did not show as much early speed as anticipated, given the short run to the first turn, this might result in the horse travelling wide and without cover and therefore he decided to have the horse ridden conservatively. He added that in today’s race NICHOLSON RETURNS had a longer run to the first turn and therefore he was comfortable for the horse to be ridden to obtain a forward position. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PRESIDENT’S CHOICE, J Moreira stated that his mount did not travel well at any stage of the race. He said he had to ride his mount along after the 1400 Metres to maintain its position and after this PRESIDENT’S CHOICE travelled only fairly. He said he again had to commence riding his mount along at the 800 Metres as PRESIDENT’S CHOICE was having difficulty maintaining its position behind EVER LAUGH. He said despite being vigorously ridden along rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE did not finish the race off as it had done when ridden by him previously. Therefore he formed the opinion that the likely explanation for the disappointing run was that PRESIDENT’S CHOICE did not handle today’s "Good to Yielding” track conditions. A veterinary inspection of PRESIDENT’S CHOICE 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, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRESIDENT’S CHOICE lost its right front plate passing the 1100 Metres. After the race, B Shinn reported that BOOM STITCH travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages, however, when placed under pressure after the 500 Metres did not respond to his riding and then did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of BOOM STITCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CHEVALIER PRINCE immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. PRESIDENT’S CHOICE, NICHOLSON RETURNS and BEAUTY SPIRIT were sent for sampling.