27/11/2022  Shatin  Race 7

THE ROCK shifted out on jumping and bumped FANTASTIC TREASURE. As the start was effected, ALL FOR ST PAUL’S lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, ALL FOR ST PAUL’S, which was being ridden along in an attempt to make up lost ground, raced tight inside EXCELLENT PROPOSAL which got its head on the side and lay in. Then approaching the 1500 Metres, EXCELLENT PROPOSAL continued to lay in across the heels of RUNNING GLORY, resulting in ALL FOR ST PAUL’S being hampered. Passing the 1500 Metres, BEAUTYVERSE (Z Purton) got its head up when racing ungenerously and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of KEEFY, resulting in RUNNING GLORY (V Borges) being checked passing the 1500 Metres. EXCELLENT PROPOSAL, which was following RUNNING GLORY, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. After this, BEAUTYVERSE continued to race ungenerously, got its head up on a number of occasions and shifted in after the 1400 Metres, resulting in RUNNING GLORY again being checked when crowded for room outside ALL FOR ST PAUL’S. Whilst the Stewards were of the opinion that the racing manners of BEAUTYVERSE had been the principal reason for these incidents, nonetheless in respect of the incident after the 1400 Metres, Z Purton was told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing interference. V Borges stated that after this incident RUNNING GLORY did not travel comfortably and then in the Straight did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of RUNNING GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RUNNING GLORY lost its right front plate near the 1050 Metres. After the 400 Metres, FANTASTIC TREASURE improved to be racing tight between ALL FOR ST PAUL’S and EXCELLENT PROPOSAL. When questioned regarding the performance of BEAUTYVERSE, Z Purton stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on BEAUTYVERSE from barrier 2. He said BEAUTYVERSE began only fairly and he had to ride his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a trailing position behind KEEFY. He said after being crossed by KEEFY, BEAUTYVERSE raced ungenerously and would not relax which resulted in the horse being left racing in a three wide position without cover near the 1300 Metres. He said he therefore allowed BEAUTYVERSE to improve forward of KEEFY approaching and passing the 1200 Metres and he was able to clear that horse and obtain a position one horse off the rail near the 1000 Metres. He said after shifting to race outside BELUGA, he became concerned that BEAUTYVERSE was not travelling as strongly as he had hoped as he had to ask his mount to maintain its position in the middle stages. He added that he placed BEAUTYVERSE under pressure rounding the Home Turn, however, the horse did not quicken and then over the latter stages gave ground. He said whilst BEAUTYVERSE was disappointing in today’s race, he was of the opinion that the horse did not recover from the incidents earlier in the race and having to make a mid-race move to avoid covering unnecessary ground. He said however that against this, he was concerned that BEAUTYVERSE was struggling to maintain its position as far out as 1000 Metres from the finish. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTYVERSE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BEAUTYVERSE, a last start winner and favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTYVERSE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAUTYVERSE, KEEFY and BELUGA were sent for sampling.