10/09/2023  Shatin  Race 5

DASHING TRIUMPH jumped only fairly and then was bumped shortly after by FINGERS CROSSED which shifted out. DAY DAY RICH jumped awkwardly and made contact with the right side of its barrier, resulting in its rider, L Hewitson, losing his right stirrup iron for a short distance. I GIVE and REGENCY HAPPY STAR bumped at the start. HAPPY MATADOR was slow to begin. DASHING TRIUMPH blundered near the 900 Metres. After travelling a short distance, SMART LEADER was steadied when crowded between NOBLE BOYZ which shifted in slightly and FIGHTING STAR which shifted out and away from VALHALLA (K De Melo) when that runner shifted out. K De Melo was advised to exercise care. A short distance later, FIGHTING STAR was then steadied when awkwardly positioned to the inside of NOBLE BOYZ. After the 900 Metres, FIGHTING STAR was steadied when momentarily crowded between DASHING TRIUMPH and ALLOY KING which shifted in and away from ORIENTAL SPIRIT. Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres, FIGHTING STAR was held up for clear running when being directed to the outside of TURBO POWER. C L Chau (I GIVE) dropped his whip near the 100 Metres. TURBO POWER and ORIENTAL SPIRIT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the race. When questioned regarding SOARING TOWER racing in a forward position, Z Purton stated that his instructions were, from a wide barrier, to ride his mount forward as SOARING TOWER had performed well when ridden in that manner in a barrier trial on 30 August 2023. Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions and the reasons as to why such instructions were issued. After the race, L Currie (FINGERS CROSSED) reported that, in his opinion, his mount would derive benefit from today’s performance. A veterinary inspection of FINGERS CROSSED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, L Hewitson (DAY DAY RICH) reported that his mount was not suited by being pressured in the lead by I GIVE and consequently did not finish the race off strongly. A veterinary inspection of DAY DAY RICH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ORIENTAL SPIRIT immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. Before being allowed to race again, ORIENTAL SPIRIT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SOARING TOWER, I GIVE and SMART LEADER were sent for sampling.