31/03/2024  Shatin  Race 4

SUPER COMMANDER (D350): No report. THE GREAT MASTER (H457): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. METRO WARRIOR (D387): Bumped on the hindquarters on jumping and became unbalanced. When questioned regarding his riding in the middle stages and as to whether there was an opportunity to move out to the stands rail near the 800 Metres to follow SUPER COMMANDER, H Bowman stated that after following GUSTY FIGHTER, he was reluctant to shift to the rail as this would have resulted in him having only one option to improve into the event. He said as a result he elected to remain racing behind GUSTY FIGHTER but when that runner did not improve approaching the 500 Metres, he then looked to shift to the stands rail, however, was prevented from doing so as PROSECCO had improved to his outside. He added as a result METRO WARRIOR lost some momentum approaching the 400 Metres when positioned behind GUSTY FIGHTER before shifting to the inside of that runner near the 350 Metres whereby METRO WARRIOR finished the race off reasonably well. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Bowman in the circumstances were reasonable. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RED ELEGANCE (H241): Bumped at the start. Sent for sampling post-race. MULTISUPER (G416): No report. MATSU VICTOR (H472): Jumped awkwardly and then was badly crowded between RED ELEGANCE and METRO WARRIOR, both of which shifted ground. THE PERFECT MATCH (J253): After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on THE PERFECT MATCH at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, THE PERFECT MATCH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FLYING PHANTOM (J086): When questioned regarding his riding over the final 300 Metres, B Avdulla stated that after settling towards the rear of the field approaching the 300 Metres, his mount commenced to finish the race off well. He said as a result when there was no run available behind PROSECCO, he then elected to shift in to secure clear running. He said near the 200 Metres he observed a run become available between RED ELEGANCE and PARENTS’ LOVE and initially was going to take advantage of that run, however, when PARENTS’ LOVE shifted out approaching the 150 Metres when being corrected by its rider Apprentice Y L Chung, he then elected to shift to that runner’s inside in an attempt to secure clear running between PARENTS’ LOVE and GLORY ELITE. He added when GLORY ELITE shifted out and PARENTS’ LOVE maintained a straight course, this resulted in FLYING PHANTOM being badly held up over the final 100 Metres and not being able to be ridden out to the finish of the event. After considering B Avdulla’s explanations, the Stewards were satisfied that near the 150 Metres Apprentice Chung had endeavoured to correct his mount which resulted In PARENTS’ LOVE shifting out slightly and in the circumstances were satisfied that B Avdulla’s decision to shift to the inside of that runner was reasonable in the circumstances. GLORY ELITE (H311): Over the final 300 Metres lay out and proved difficult to ride. PARENTS' LOVE (H405): No report. FANCY STAR (H428): Jumped only fairly. GUSTY FIGHTER (J029): No report. KOWLOON EAST STAR (E158): No report. PROSECCO (E457): Sent for sampling post-race.