11/03/2023  Shatin  Race 5

ROBOT WARRIOR was bumped at the start by BOOM ALLIANCE which shifted in. KYRUS UNICORN jumped only fairly, was then inclined to lay in and was awkwardly placed close to FUNCTION PATCH. PALACE PAL and VINCY were slow to begin and were then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1200 Metres, FLYING MOJITO got its head up and raced keenly. KYRUS UNICORN raced keenly in the middle stages and near the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of FUNCTION PATCH. PALACE PAL was briefly held up near the 450 Metres. Passing the 450 Metres, FUNCTION PATCH lay out and away from BOOM ALLIANCE and bumped GOLD TACK. Approaching the 200 Metres, VINCY was held up behind PAKISTAN FRIEND and was shifted to that runner’s inside to obtain clear running. A Badel, the rider of WINNING STEPS, was fined $7,500 for using the whip on numerous occasions down the horse’s right shoulder in the Home Straight. When questioned regarding his riding of GOLD TACK, H Bowman stated that whilst he was not given specific instructions to ride his mount forward, connections were of the opinion that GOLD TACK would naturally take up a forward position. He said in the early stages the pace, in his opinion, was good and this resulted in GOLD TACK settling further back than had been anticipated. He added that throughout the early and middle stages GOLD TACK was unable to obtain cover and when the pace near the 1200 Metres reduced, this resulted in GOLD TACK travelling better at this stage and for this reason he was reluctant to allow his mount to stride forward. He added that his decision to remain racing in a midfield position was also influenced by the fact that he was racing behind and to the outside of the winner WINNING STEPS and he had anticipated that had he made a forward move, this would result in GOLD TACK being taken wider. He further stated that at the 800 Metres when WINNING STEPS shifted out, he was able to obtain cover behind that horse and followed it into the Straight before shifting to its outside where GOLD TACK had clear and unimpeded running to the finish. A veterinary inspection of FUNCTION PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLYING MOJITO, WINNING STEPS and GO GO SIXTEEN were sent for sampling.