25/06/2023  Shatin  Race 4

LEATHER MASTER jumped only fairly. GOAL ORIENTED jumped awkwardly. TATTENHAM shifted out at the start and bumped MY INTELLIGENT. A short distance later, VANTASTIC CHOICE shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of MY INTELLIGENT. From outside barriers, WINNING DATA and RED BRICK FIGHTER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. BRAVE AND BOLD, GOAL ORIENTED and RED BRICK FIGHTER raced keenly in the middle stages due to the slow pace of the event. For some distance approaching the 300 Metres, PERFECT PEACH had some difficulty obtaining clear running when being shifted to the outside of VANTASTIC CHOICE to obtain clear running. When being shifted out, PERFECT PEACH made contact with ARIEL. Over the final 100 Metres, NATURAL GOLD lay out and proved difficult to ride out to the finish. SMART LEADER and BRAVE AND BOLD raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the Stewards established that B Avdulla, rider of 3rd placegetter, NATURAL GOLD, had failed to weigh in. When the Stewards were satisfied that there were no circumstances which suggested that NATURAL GOLD had carried less weight than what it had been allocated, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, B Avdulla explained that after proceeding into the Weighing Room following dismounting in an area allocated for the Hot Weather Protocols, he then erroneously failed to weigh in for this race. Taking into account all the circumstances, B Avdulla was fined the sum of $10,000 for a breach of Rule 112(2). In assessing penalty, the Stewards established that this was the first occasion that Jockey Avdulla had failed to weigh in for a placed runner. When questioned regarding SO AWESOME being ridden in a more forward position today, A Badel stated that in discussions with connections prior to the running of the event, he had anticipated there may be a lack of early pace in the race. He said with SO AWESOME carrying a light weight, he had suggested to connections that it may be advantageous to take up a more forward position from a wide barrier. He added after commencing well, SO AWESOME was able to take up a position outside the leader, NATURAL GOLD and this resulted in the horse performing better today. Trainer K L Man confirmed that Jockey Badel was given the option of taking up a more forward position. A veterinary inspection of MY INTELLIGENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SO AWESOME and JUNE PLANET were sent for sampling.