19/02/2023  Shatin  Race 6

PRINCE OF PORTY jumped awkwardly. SMART BEAUTY lost its left front plate at the start. SMART LEADER and MISSION BRAVO brushed soon after the start. Shortly after the start, PACKING PRESENT was bumped by TRUST ME which shifted in. From the outside barrier, MR MAJESTIC was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 800 Metres, SMART LEADER, which was inclined to race keenly, was checked when crowded by RED TITAN (K C Leung) which shifted in and away from PACKING PRESENT. Whilst the Stewards accepted that K C Leung had made some effort to prevent his mount from shifting in and crowding the running of SMART LEADER, nonetheless he was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. In this incident, SMART LEADER then shifted out, resulting in GREEN N WHITE being positioned close to the heels of that runner near the 800 Metres. SMART LEADER lay out on the Home Turn. When questioned regarding his riding in the Straight, C L Chau (EASY SNIP) advised that soon after straightening his mount was inclined to lay in, but he identified a run developing between TRUST ME and the favourite PRINCE OF PORTY. He said for this reason he endeavoured to shift out to take advantage of this run near the 300 Metres when it continued to develop. He added that near the 250 Metres he became held up behind TRUST ME when that runner shifted out slightly. He said he then looked to his inside to ensure that he was clear to shift and once he was satisfied that there was clear running to his inside, he elected to shift to the inside of TRUST ME near the 200 Metres whereby EASY SNIP secured clear running and finished the race off well. The Stewards found that the tactics adopted by C L Chau in the circumstances were reasonable in that he was shifting out to follow the favourite runner and that a run had commenced to develop between TRUST ME and PRINCE OF PORTY near the 300 Metres. After the race, H N Wong reported that HAPPY FAT CAT travelled well in the lead throughout the early and middle stages, but failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY FAT CAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HAPPY FAT CAT, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY FAT CAT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding of GREEN N WHITE and in particular the reason his mount settled back in the field, S De Sousa stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ensure that he obtained cover and anticipated taking up a midfield position. He said GREEN N WHITE jumped well and when positioned to the outside of TRUST ME, he then commenced to restrain his mount in order to obtain cover and comply with his instructions. He said whilst he was initially positioned directly to the outside of PACKING PRESENT, he was reluctant to maintain a position directly behind that runner as he was concerned he would be caught wide and that would consequently result in GREEN N WHITE being obliged to race wide and without cover. He said for this reason he allowed GREEN N WHITE to settle further back in the field with a view to obtaining cover, however, when MR MAJESTIC held its position one-off to his inside, he was obliged to continue to race in a three wide position. He added that from the 800 Metres he commenced a forward move on GREEN N WHITE and after being obliged to make a long and sustained run from that point, GREEN N WHITE, after initially responding to his riding in the early part of the Straight, reached the end of its run towards the finish of the event. Trainer P F Yiu confirmed the instructions issued and stated that he was satisfied with the manner in which Jockey De Sousa had ridden GREEN N WHITE throughout the event. After considering his evidence, the Stewards advised S De Sousa that in the early stages he had made an error of judgement in not endeavouring to hold a more forward position behind PACKING PRESENT which would have allowed GREEN N WHITE to maintain an advantageous position it had established soon after the start. A veterinary inspection of GREEN N WHITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, SMART LEADER was found to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SMART LEADER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRINCE OF PORTY and EASY SNIP were sent for sampling.