11/12/2022  Shatin  Race 3

LORD THUNDER began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped READY TO WIN which in turn shifted out and hampered SPANGLE FORTUNE which lost ground when crowded for room inside TEMPEST EXPRESS. GOKO WIN was crowded for room on jumping between SINBA and MALDIVES, both of which shifted ground. SILVER HAMMER began only fairly and was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, GLUCK RACER was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 900 Metres, SINBA was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WONDER KIT. After this, SINBA was left racing wide and without cover. After the 100 Metres, LORD THUNDER and WONDER KIT became unbalanced when racing tight between SINBA and READY TO WIN which, when being shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DECISIVE TWELVE. In the Straight, READY TO WIN lay in under pressure. When questioned, H Bowman (LORD THUNDER) stated that he was asked to obtain a trailing position behind the leaders if possible from barrier 2. He said after standing very awkwardly in the barriers, LORD THUNDER did not begin well, however, was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages. He said approaching the 1000 Metres WONDER KIT was racing to the outside of LORD THUNDER with a number of runners to that horse’s outside and given that LORD THUNDER was second up today after a long break, he felt that it was in the best interests of the horse to obtain a trailing position behind WONDER KIT which was being urged along to clear LORD THUNDER. He added that although it was available for him to improve his position in an attempt to prevent WONDER KIT from crossing LORD THUNDER, he felt that he would have had to ride his mount along having regard to the fact that WONDER KIT was being urged forward, therefore he elected to obtain a trailing position which resulted in LORD THUNDER racing one position further back in the field than had been anticipated. He said he was disappointed with the manner in which LORD THUNDER failed to quicken in the early part of the Straight and the horse then did not finish the race off over the concluding stages. When questioned, J McDonald stated that he was instructed to ride VICTOR THE WINNER positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position. He said if no horse was intent on leading, then he should lead the race, however, if other horses were intent on obtaining the lead, then it was acceptable for him to take up a trailing position. He said VICTOR THE WINNER began well in today’s race and he immediately commenced to ride his mount along to ensure that it was able to obtain a forward position. He said he noted that DRAGON’S LUCK was being aggressively ridden from a wider barrier to take up a forward position and as the rider of that horse appeared to be intent on leading, he elected to allow DRAGON’S LUCK to cross VICTOR THE WINNER and obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He added that VICTOR THE WINNER travelled very well in the middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would again finish the race off strongly, however, when a run appeared to the inside of DRAGON’S LUCK on entering the Straight, VICTOR THE WINNER commenced to lay in and did not quicken as he thought it would. He said he placed VICTOR THE WINNER under heavy pressure after the 250 Metres, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and did not close the race off and raced "flat” today. Mr C S Shum, the trainer of VICTOR THE WINNER, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey McDonald and said that given the tempo of the race in the early stages, he was completely satisfied with Jockey McDonald’s decision to take up a trailing position. He said following the horse’s disappointing performance and having regard to Jockey McDonald’s report that VICTOR THE WINNER raced "flat” today, it is his intention to give the horse a freshen-up following today’s race. A veterinary inspection of VICTOR THE WINNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SCIENCE PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTOR THE WINNER, DRAGON’S LUCK and DECISIVE TWELVE were sent for sampling.