19/06/2022  Shatin  Race 7

BLAZE WARRIOR began only fairly. LUCKY EXPRESS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 400 Metres, LUCKY EXPRESS raced tight inside the hindquarters of CHEERFUL DAYS which shifted in. In this incident, CHEERFUL DAYS became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by LUCKY EXPRESS. Passing the 200 Metres, STRONGER raced tight inside LUCKY PATCH which shifted in. When questioned, C L Chau stated that it was intended for LUCKY PATCH to be ridden with cover behind the leaders. He said he anticipated that SILVER EXPRESS may be ridden positively in the early stages and cross STRONGER to its inside which would allow LUCKY PATCH the opportunity to race to that horse’s outside. He said he rode his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position and when SILVER EXPRESS was also being ridden along shortly after the start and STRONGER was being steadied to SILVER EXPRESS’ inside, he anticipated that SILVER EXPRESS would continue to improve forward of STRONGER. He said at the 1200 Metres it became apparent that SILVER EXPRESS was being ridden to maintain its position outside STRONGER and as there was a gap behind that horse, he attempted to steady LUCKY PATCH to obtain cover behind SILVER EXPRESS. He said when he did this, LUCKY PATCH commenced to travel strongly and would not relax sufficiently for him to be able to steady and obtain a position behind SILVER EXPRESS. He added that when this happened CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and HEALTHY HAPPY were ridden positively outside LUCKY PATCH and therefore it was not available to him to improve forward of SILVER EXPRESS which resulted in LUCKY PATCH being left racing wide and without cover passing the 900 Metres. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, Z Purton stated that BEAUTY JOY began only fairly and then became unbalanced on jumping as a result of being bumped by SILVER EXPRESS. He said this resulted in BEAUTY JOY losing ground and having to race at the rear of the field in the early stages. He said BEAUTY JOY was not fluent in its action in the early stages and despite being ridden along was reluctant to improve its position to join onto the main body of the field. He said he continued to ride the horse along after the 1300 Metres, however, BEAUTY JOY, which was racing on its wrong lead leg, would not improve its position. He added that prior to the first turn BEAUTY JOY commenced to travel more comfortably and passing the 800 Metres commenced to travel better. He said he continued to ride BEAUTY JOY along and after shifting the horse to the outside of runners in the early part of the Straight BEAUTY JOY then finished the race off strongly. He said he was unable to explain BEAUTY JOY’s racing manners in the early stages of today’s race other than the horse has at times been difficult to manage in its races. A veterinary inspection of STRONGER and SILVER EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY JOY and LUCKY EXPRESS were sent for sampling.