04/05/2022  Shatin  Race 9

BEAUTY FIT began only fairly. DELIGHTFUL LAOS was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, RED DESERT and MONEY CATCHER bumped. Approaching the 200 Metres, DELIGHTFUL LAOS shifted out under pressure and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RED DESERT. DELIGHTFUL LAOS was then shifted out abruptly away from the heels of THE ROCK after the 100 Metres to continue improving. When questioned, L Ferraris (BUDDIES) stated that he was instructed to lead tonight’s race from the outside barrier if possible. He said he was asked to ride BUDDIES positively in the early stages and it was felt that he would not have to make too much use of the horse as BUDDIES would have sufficient natural speed to be able to clear runners to its inside. He said he was further told not to restrain BUDDIES as the horse races best when able to maintain a rhythm. He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages, he commenced to shift across to clear CHANCHENG PRINCE which was drawn to the inside of BUDDIES. He said when CHANCHENG PRINCE was ridden along to clear runners to its inside, this resulted in BUDDIES having to take some time to be able to clear that horse. He said he was able to shift across in advance of CHANCHENG PRINCE after the 1200 Metres and near the 1100 Metres he looked to his inside to establish whether he would be able to continue forward to clear KINGS SHIELD which was racing on the rail and to lead the race. He added at the 1000 Metres it became apparent to him that KINGS SHIELD was not going to hand up to BUDDIES and therefore he remained racing to that horse’s outside rather than attempting to continue forward of that horse and obtain an outright lead. He said given that he had not ridden BUDDIES along at any stage to cross runners to its inside prior to this, he was reluctant to steady his mount after the 1000 Metres as he believed that this would have been contrary to his instructions. He said he therefore allowed BUDDIES to maintain its momentum and race outside KINGS SHIELD and in advance of that horse. He said whilst he was aware that the race was being run at a faster tempo that he would have preferred, he was of the opinion that given the manner in which BUDDIES was racing at the relevant time, he would have had to restrain his mount in order to come back to race on terms with KINGS SHIELD. L Ferraris was told that his explanation would be reported, however, he was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made some effort to try and ease the tempo being set by BUDDIES given that the race was being run at a good tempo. A veterinary inspection of BUDDIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BUDDIES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BUDDIES will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY FIT and CHANCHENG PRINCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE ROCK, BERLIN TANGO and KINGS SHIELD were sent for sampling.