05/11/2023  Shatin  Race 4

ROYAL PRIDE (E351): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CASA COSMO (G436): No report. LOOKING COOL (G151): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WIDE BLUE YONDER (G323): Sent for sampling post-race. NOBLE WIN (H195): Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. For some distance near the 400 Metres was held up behind CASA COSMO when that runner was being shifted to the outside to secure clear running. Near the 200 Metres improved into a tight run between CASA COSMO and BULB PRINCE and raced tight between those runners for some distance thereafter. LUCKY ETERNITY (G478): No report. MASTER HERO (D501): When questioned regarding his riding in the early stages and as to whether there was an opportunity to take up a position one-off the rail, Apprentice Y L Chung stated that his instructions were to lead if possible. He said after commencing well, he was reluctant to ride his mount along in the early stages as MASTER HERO had raced a little keenly at its last start. He said as there was a long run to the first turn, he was not concerned crossing towards the rail too soon to ensure that his mount raced comfortably in the early stages and as a result LOOKING COOL was able to improve to his inside near the 1100 Metres which resulted in his mount then being obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After considering his explanations, Apprentice Chung agreed with the Stewards that he had made an error of judgement in the early stages by not shifting towards the rail to obtain a position one-off when he was clear of LOOKING COOL to do so. He was advised that in future he would be expected to show better judgement than he did on this occasion. Sent for sampling post-race. GO GO SIXTEEN (E244): Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. PAKISTAN FRIEND (B370): Near the 900 Metres became unbalanced when racing tight to the inside of LOOKING COOL which shifted in and away slightly from MASTER HERO when racing tight inside that runner. After the race, C L Chau reported that after being crowded near the 900 Metres his mount failed to travel from that point and raced disappointingly thereafter. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. AESTHETICISM (H289): Jumped only fairly. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight, Z Purton stated that after following LOOKING COOL into the event, he elected to shift to that runner’s outside with a view to securing clear running between MASTER HERO and PAKISTAN FRIEND. He said his decision to shift out was influenced by the fact that PAKISTAN FRIEND appeared under pressure and was shifting out at that point and, in his opinion, this would have afforded him clear running at that stage. He added that when PAKISTAN FRIEND then shifted in slightly and MASTER HERO shifted out, AESTHETICISM was disappointed for clear running at the 350 Metres and then did not secure clear running until approaching the 100 Metres where it found the line strongly. When questioned if there was an opportunity to shift to the inside of LOOKING COOL, Z Purton stated that whilst that option was available, he felt, given the way PAKISTAN FRIEND was racing, that was the best option to improve into the race. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Purton were reasonable in the circumstances. Sent for sampling post-race. SHARPEN BRIGHT (H276): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early part of the Home Straight lay in when placed under pressure. BULB PRINCE (G179): No report. PRESIDENT'S CHOICE (D038): On jumping shifted out, made contact with the left side of its barrier and became unbalanced. RELIABLE PROFIT (G462): Withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen right hind leg). Before being allowed to race again, RELIABLE PROFIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.