17/09/2023  Shatin  Race 2

PEAK TO PEAK was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality). Before being allowed to race again, PEAK TO PEAK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EAGLE RUN jumped awkwardly, shifted out and bumped TURTLE AGAIN. Then from a wide barrier, TURTLE AGAIN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 300 Metres, COPARTNER PUDONG was disappointed for clear running to the outside of HUNKY DORY. COPARTNER PUDONG was then shifted to the inside of HUNKY DORY where it was briefly held up when obtaining a narrow run passing the 200 Metres and in doing so crowded the running of HAPPY MATADOR for a short distance. After the race, A Hamelin (BROTHER PEARL) stated that his mount was slow to begin, failed to travel at any stage of the event and raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of BROTHER PEARL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, A Badel (MIRACLES) stated that his mount jumped awkwardly and was then crowded at the start between SURE JOYFUL and HAPPY MATADOR, both of which shifted ground. He said after improving forward, MIRACLES was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He added that as a result when placed under pressure in the Home Straight, MIRACLES did not respond as well as what was anticipated. A veterinary inspection of MIRACLES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight and as to whether there was an opportunity to improve between HUNKY DORY and MIRACLES near the 400 Metres, L Ferraris, rider of ALL IS READY, stated that after both HUNKY DORY and MIRACLES made the Home Turn awkwardly, he had expected those runners to shift back and resume their positions closer to the rail. He said when he observed A Atzeni, rider of HUNKY DORY, had his whip in his right hand and MIRACLES had a tendency to lay in, he was of the opinion that the run between those two horses would close. He added for this reason he elected to endeavour to shift to the outside of MIRACLES and manoeuvre SURE JOYFUL wider, however, when SURE JOYFUL held its position, he became held up behind MIRACLES and did not obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres. After considering his explanations, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Ferraris were reasonable in the circumstances. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight, B Avdulla, rider of KYRUS UNICORN, stated that shortly after straightening he contemplated shifting to the outside of ALL IS READY to follow SURE JOYFUL. He said when his mount hung in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of ALL IS READY, he elected to improve to the inside of ALL IS READY to obtain clear running. He added approaching the 200 Metres he commenced to shift to the outside of MIRACLES, however, KYRUS UNICORN continued to hang in and when MIRACLES then shifted out in front of him, KYRUS UNICORN was checked away from the heels of that runner for some distance thereafter. B Avdulla was reminded of his obligation to, wherever possible, ride his mounts out to the finish of the event. After the race, KYRUS UNICORN was noted to have sustained a small abrasion to the right front cannon. A veterinary inspection of SHENZHOU TWELVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIRACLES, SURE JOYFUL and M M NEBULA were sent for sampling.