25/09/2022  Shatin  Race 8

A Badel (HIT THE SHOT) was fined the sum of $3,000 for initially weighing out with two girths which resulted in the saddle having to be returned to the Weighing Room and A Badel having to re-weigh. ODE TO JOY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then was crowded for room on jumping between PEGASUS GENERAL and SECRET VISION, both of which shifted ground. MOONLIGHT VISTA began very awkwardly and lost ground. BOOM ALLIANCE got its head up on jumping and then was taken in by NORDIC SKY which shifted ground which resulted in BOOM ALLIANCE being taken in onto LOOKING GREAT. In the early stages, POWERFUL WINGS and ENTRUSTED were steadied to obtain cover. When being steadied to obtain cover in the early stages, BOOM ALLIANCE got its head up on a number of occasions and approaching the 1200 Metres again got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of LOOKING GREAT. Approaching the 1300 Metres, PEGASUS GENERAL was momentarily crowded for room between ENCOUNTERED and WINNING DRAGON which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the crowding to PEGASUS GENERAL. Near the 1100 Metres, PEGASUS GENERAL was left racing wide and without cover. SECRET VISION had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 250 Metres was checked when disappointed for running between PEGASUS GENERAL and NORDIC SKY. POWERFUL WINGS had some difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 300 Metres. NORDIC SKY lost its right hind plate near the 250 Metres. At the 150 Metres, TOTAL POWER became unbalanced when racing tight inside WINNING DRAGON which shifted in marginally before being directed out to relieve the crowding to TOTAL POWER. ENCOUNTERED lay in over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding his riding out of POWERFUL WINGS, 3rd placegetter, over the concluding stages, S De Sousa stated that over about the final 100 Metres POWERFUL WINGS lay in under pressure. He said he continued to ride the horse along as there was room between his mount and LOOKING GREAT which was racing in advance of POWERFUL WINGS. He said close to the finishing line POWERFUL WINGS continued to shift in and therefore close to the finishing line he used the whip down the shoulder of the horse in an attempt to straighten POWERFUL WINGS. He said as POWERFUL WINGS was continuing to lay in towards LOOKING GREAT, he corrected his mount to ensure that it did not shift in and make unnecessary contact with LOOKING GREAT. Having considered Jockey De Sousa’s evidence and having viewed the videos, the Stewards took no further action. A veterinary inspection of SECRET VISION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. POWERFUL WINGS, LOOKING GREAT and ENTRUSTED were sent for sampling.