22/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 9

PODIUM, which made contact with a rail when entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race. EASON jumped only fairly and after travelling a short distance then raced tight to the inside of KILINDINI which shifted in and away from COMPASSION SPIRIT. HERE COMES TED also jumped only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. NORDIC DRAGON and PODIUM bumped soon after the start. From a wide barrier, EQUALETTA BLITZ was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain cover, EQUALETTA BLITZ was inclined to over-race and got its head up making the first turn. Near the 600 Metres, NORDIC DRAGON was steadied when crowded by EQUALETTA BLITZ (Z Purton) which shifted to the inside of PODIUM where there was not sufficient room to do so. Z Purton was reprimanded. When questioned regarding his riding of NORDIC DRAGON, in particular the reason NORDIC DRAGON settled at the rear of the field, H Bowman stated that he was instructed from his wide barrier to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages to ensure it obtained cover and he anticipated taking up a position midfield. He added that on jumping NORDIC DRAGON commenced to race keenly and for this reason he elected to restrain his mount to ensure that it obtained cover and this resulted in NORDIC DRAGON continuing to race keenly as he shifted his mount across behind runners. He said with the fast early pace of the event NORDIC DRAGON found it difficult to maintain its position in the race and near the 600 Metres when crowded by EQUALETTA BLITZ lost ground and became unbalanced for a short distance thereafter. He added that after obtaining clear running on straightening he placed NORDIC DRAGON under full pressure whereby it commenced to finish the race off strongly. He further stated that near the 50 Metres he was obliged to stop riding NORDIC DRAGON when improving quickly so as to shift to the outside of KILINDINI, but then became held up behind AMAZING ROCKY and could not be ridden out to the finish. Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions issued and advised the Stewards that he also anticipated NORDIC DRAGON holding a midfield position. He said the instructions were to ride NORDIC DRAGON conservatively in the early stages due to the fact that it had raced disappointingly in its last two starts in an on-pace position and when caught wide. He added that tonight’s instructions were in an attempt to provide NORDIC DRAGON with the opportunity to finish the race in the best possible placing in the field. After considering the evidence provided by Jockey Bowman and Mr Shum, the Stewards were satisfied with the explanations and the matter was closed. A veterinary inspection of EQUALETTA BLITZ, NORDIC DRAGON and OUR LUCKY GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EASON and ALLGREEKTOME were sent for sampling.