13/05/2023  Shatin  Race 6

DINOSAUR BOY was slow to begin. BRILLIANT PIONEER and AMAZING TRAVIS jumped only fairly. M UNICORN jumped awkwardly and then shortly after the start was crowded by SOLAR PARTNER which shifted out. A short distance later, M UNICORN blundered and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1000 Metres, CASA LEGEND was hampered when racing tight to the inside of D STAR (Apprentice Y L Chung). Apprentice Chung was advised to exercise more care. NOBLE ACE raced keenly in the early and middle stages and for some distance near the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of BRILLIANT PIONEER. After improving to the inside of BRILLIANT PIONEER, NOBLE ACE continued to race keenly and lay out towards BRILLIANT PIONEER for a short distance thereafter. Near the 400 Metres, D STAR endeavoured to shift to the outside of SOLAR PARTNER to secure clear running and as a result made contact with CASA LEGEND. When unable to secure clear running to the outside of SOLAR PARTNER, D STAR was then shifted to the inside of that runner near the 350 Metres to obtain clear running. Over the concluding stages, D STAR was not able to be ridden out to the finish when racing tight between SHARPEN BRIGHT and GOLDEN SAMURAI which shifted out. When questioned regarding GOLDEN SAMURAI racing in a more forward position and the performance of the horse, C Y Ho stated that he was under no specific instructions other than to have his mount settle where comfortable. He said in the early stages GOLDEN SAMURAI naturally obtained a forward position, stepping up to 1400 Metres and when left without cover was inclined to race keenly before his mount settled near the 700 Metres when able to obtain a position behind ARIEL He added that due to the manner GOLDEN SAMURAI raced in the early stages and the track conditions, his mount was left without a finishing effort over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN SAMURAI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of D STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SOLAR PARTNER, FLAMINGO TRILLION and CASA LEGEND were sent for sampling.