30/04/2023  Shatin  Race 9

As the start was effected, UNPRESUMING became fractious, shifted in, made heavy contact with the right side of its barrier and lost ground. Soon after the start, PRECISE EXPRESS was steadied when crowded by HAPPY MISSION which shifted out despite the efforts of its rider. From wide barriers, HK DRAGON, CAPITAL LEGEND and CIRCUIT NINE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, TAJ DRAGON was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Due to the slow early pace in the middle stages, CHARITY GRACE raced fiercely and refused to settle when racing wide and without cover for the majority of the race. Near the 1000 Metres, HK DRAGON commenced to race keenly and was checked to avoid SILVER SONIC, resulting in HK DRAGON shifting out and then being positioned close to PRECISE EXPRESS. In the middle stages, CAPITAL LEGEND raced keenly. UNPRESUMING was held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres. Over the concluding stages, HK DRAGON raced tight between PRECISE EXPRESS and HAPPY MISSION, both of which shifted ground. PRECISE EXPRESS lay in under pressure in the Straight. After the race, Z Purton (HAPPY MISSION) reported that his mount raced keenly throughout the event and refused to settle. He added that under pressure in the Straight HAPPY MISSION hung out and proved difficult to ride. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY MISSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The racing manners of HAPPY MISSION were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY MISSION will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend in Hong Kong. Also after the race, H Bowman (CAPITAL LEGEND) reported that his mount experienced difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight when positioned behind CHARITY GRACE. He added that as a result his mount lost momentum at this vital stage and he felt that had he been able to secure clear running sooner, CAPITAL LEGEND would have finished closer. A veterinary inspection of CAPITAL LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding NOT USUAL STAR leading, L Hewitson stated that he was instructed to take up a handy position with cover. He added that when a number of expected on-pace runners did not go forward and NOT USUAL STAR commenced well, he allowed his mount to stride forward and lead due to the slow early pace of the event. Trainer W Y So confirmed the instructions issued. When questioned regarding his riding of SEASONS BLISS, L Ferraris stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to endeavour to take up a position with cover midfield. He said after commencing reasonably well, he observed CHARITY GRACE to his inside and had anticipated that runner shifting to the rail to obtain cover. He said when CHARITY GRACE maintained its position three wide, this resulted in SEASONS BLISS being four wide without cover and as a result he commenced to restrain his mount in order to comply with his instructions. He added when TAJ DRAGON improved to his inside passing the 1200 Metres, this resulted in him having to restrain further to obtain a position with cover behind TAJ DRAGON. When questioned if there was an opportunity to go forward and cross CHARITY GRACE, L Ferraris stated that as his specific instructions were to obtain cover, had he gone forward of CHARITY GRACE, he would have been obliged to race three wide and without cover. Trainer K H Ting confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection of SEASONS BLISS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PRECISE EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PRECISE EXPRESS, WIDE BLUE YONDER, NOT USUAL STAR and BEAUTY MISSILE were sent for sampling.