18/09/2022  Shatin  Race 5

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE shifted in at the start and hampered FLYING MIGHTY. CHATER PINS was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Also from wide barriers, EZRA and SMILING TIME were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, COLOURFUL BARON was steadied away from the heels of BORN THE SAME DAY (A Hamelin) which shifted in when not quite clear. A Hamelin was advised to exercise care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 1150 Metres, DARCI JOY lay in and brushed the running rail. After the 900 Metres, TURQUOISE ALPHA was left racing wide and without cover. TURQUOISE ALPHA then raced tight outside PALACE PAL passing the 700 Metres which shifted out away from the heels of RED ELYSEES. Near the 650 Metres, SMILING TIME was steadied away from the heels of CHATER PINS. Near the 350 Metres, RED ELYSEES, which was commencing to give ground after travelling wide and without cover throughout, briefly raced in restricted room between EZRA and PALACE PAL which shifted in. Passing the 300 Metres, TAILOR MADE and PRESIDENT’S CHOICE brushed. When questioned, H Bentley stated that it was anticipated that today’s race may not be run at a good tempo and therefore if KOWLOON GREAT were to be ridden from back in the field, the horse may not be able to finish the race off strongly. He said he was therefore asked to ride KOWLOON GREAT positively in the early stages and obtain a trailing position as it was anticipated that OSCAR GLORY, which was drawn directly inside KOWLOON GREAT, would possibly be ridden to lead the race. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages before allowing OSCAR GLORY the opportunity to improve its position to the inside of KOWLOON GREAT passing the 1500 Metres. He said when OSCAR GLORY did not continue forward, he elected to ride his mount along and clear that horse to avoid having to race unnecessarily wide. He said this resulted in KOWLOON GREAT racing in a more forward position today than had been intended. He added that having regard to KOWLOON GREAT’s failure to finish the race off in the Straight, he recommended to connections that they consider reverting to having KOWLOON GREAT ridden more conservatively in its future starts. When questioned, A Hamelin stated that in order to overcome barrier 11, he was asked to ride BORN THE SAME DAY in a forward position today and it was hoped that the horse may be able to obtain a trailing position behind the leaders. He said after riding his mount along in the early stages, there were a number of horses positioned to the inside of BORN THE SAME DAY approaching the 1400 Metres and therefore he allowed his mount to continue forward of those horses and obtain the lead rather than having to cover extra ground. A veterinary inspection of TURQUOISE ALPHA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TURQUOISE ALPHA, PRESIDENT’S CHOICE and TAILOR MADE were sent for sampling.