24/09/2023  Shatin  Race 2

FLYING GALLOP jumped awkwardly and lost ground. M M NEBULA jumped only fairly. Shortly after the start, GREEN LASER and DAILY BEAUTY raced tight between CALL ME TEDDY which shifted in and COLOURFUL BARON which was taken out by HIGH CLOUD. Approaching the 1500 Metres, FLYING GALLOP, which commenced to race keenly, got its head up when being steadied away from STAR OF GLORY. As a result, FLYING GALLOP shifted out, briefly crowding CHIRON which had been racing tight to the inside of STARSHIP EIGHTY. Entering the Back Straight near the 1100 Metres, DAILY BEAUTY commenced a forward move, but was then obliged to race wide and without cover thereafter when it did not show sufficient pace to cross the field. In the middle stages, COLOURFUL BARON raced keenly. The performance of FLYING GALLOP was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING GALLOP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FLYING GALLOP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding his riding of SUN OF MAKFI from the 550 Metres as to whether there was an opportunity to shift to the outside of COLOURFUL BARON sooner than what he did, Z Purton stated that his mount settled towards the rear of the field as he had expected where it followed COLOURFUL BARON. He said whilst he contemplated shifting to the outside of COLOURFUL BARON approaching the 500 Metres when his mount was travelling well, he elected not to do so as he was concerned that COLOURFUL BARON would then shift out, taking SUN OF MAKFI wider. He added as soon as he entered the Home Straight near the 400 Metres, he shifted SUN OF MAKFI to the outside of COLOURFUL BARON where his mount went on strongly. The Stewards considered the tactics adopted by Jockey Purton were reasonable in the circumstances. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHIRON, K C Leung stated that his mount enjoyed a comfortable run in the event, but failed to finish the race off strongly and would derive benefit from today’s performance. A veterinary inspection of CHIRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Trainer C W Chang confirmed the instructions were to ride CALL ME TEDDY in a more conservative manner in the early stages from its wide barrier as CALL ME TEDDY had raced in a disappointing manner at its last start when it took up a handy position. A veterinary inspection of CALL ME TEDDY immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained minor abrasions to both hind legs. After the race, COLOURFUL BARON was noted to have sustained a wound to the right hind leg. A veterinary inspection of HIGH CLOUD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH CLOUD, M M NEBULA and SUN OF MAKFI were sent for sampling.