07/05/2023  Shatin  Race 6

COURIER MAGIC was slow to begin, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of FIGHTING STAR and lost ground. SWEET BRIAR jumped awkwardly, resulting in its rider, L Hewitson, becoming unbalanced. ISLAND GOLDEN and HORSESAIN BOLT bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, RED LEADER and MULTIDARLING bumped, resulting in MULTIDARLING shifting in and RED LEADER then racing tight to the inside of MULTIDARLING for some distance thereafter. From a wide barrier, SMART LEADER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, REGENCY HAPPY STAR was inclined to lay out and became awkwardly placed inside MULTIDARLING. After the 400 Metres, SWEET BRIAR became held up behind FIGHTING STAR and was steadied to avoid that runner’s heels. SWEET BRIAR was then shifted to the inside of FIGHTING STAR at the 300 Metres to obtain clear running. ISLAND GOLDEN raced very wide and without cover for the majority of the event. FIGHTING STAR raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding his riding from the 600 Metres, L Ferraris (SMART LEADER) stated that after being held up behind REGENCY HAPPY STAR for some distance approaching the 600 Metres, he attempted to improve to the inside of REGENCY HAPPY STAR, however, SMART LEADER had a tendency to lay out and proved reluctant to improve to that runner’s inside. He added that as a consequence he remained held up for a short distance behind REGENCY HAPPY STAR before placing his mount under pressure near the 500 Metres when he was able to shift out and commence to improve. After the race, M Chadwick (SUPER HIGHWAY) reported that his instructions from a wide barrier were to endeavour to find cover. He said in the early stages he attempted to obtain a position behind MULTIDARLING, however, when that runner crossed in advance of RED LEADER near the 900 Metres, he was obliged then to come back further and follow RED LEADER in order to obtain cover. Also after the race, S De Sousa (ISLAND GOLDEN) reported that when placed under pressure in the Straight his mount lay in and proved difficult to ride out. A veterinary inspection of ISLAND GOLDEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, H Bowman (MULTIDARLING) reported that his mount travelled satisfactorily throughout the event, however, when placed under pressure in the Straight found it difficult to quicken on the rain-affected track conditions. A veterinary inspection of MULTIDARLING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FIGHTING STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MULTIDARLING, SUPER HIGHWAY and BABY CRYSTAL were sent for sampling.