24/09/2023  Shatin  Race 5

ISLAND GOLDEN and AUGUST MOON bumped at the start. ALWAYS FLUKE jumped only fairly. ATOMIC BEAUTY and GO HERO bumped at the start, resulting in GO HERO becoming unbalanced and blundering. From a wide barrier, CHAMPION INSTINCT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. GO HERO raced wide and without cover from the 900 Metres. Near the 900 Metres, LUCKY FUN was checked when crowded by ALWAYS FLUKE which shifted in and away from FUN TOGETHER (C L Chau) which in turn shifted in and away from GO HERO. C L Chau was severely reprimanded and advised he would be expected to make a greater effort than what he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. In assessing not to issue a charge against Jockey Chau, the Stewards also found that ALWAYS FLUKE had contributed to the interference sustained by LUCKY FUN. Near the 700 Metres, ALWAYS FLUKE was steadied when momentarily crowded by FUN TOGETHER which was racing tight to the inside of GO HERO. Near the 500 Metres, FUN TOGETHER was steadied to avoid SPEEDY FORTUNE. Passing the 400 Metres, AFFIRM shifted in, crowding AUGUST MOON for a short distance before being corrected by its rider, A Atzeni. Near the 350 Metres, FUN TOGETHER improved into a narrow run to the outside of AFFIRM which, after shifting in, then shifted back out when being corrected by its rider, A Atzeni. A Atzeni was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to exercise more care. Also near the 350 Metres, CHAMPION INSTINCT was briefly held up behind SPEEDY FORTUNE. Approaching the 200 Metres, CHAMPION INSTINCT was then disappointed for clear running between SPEEDY FORTUNE and LUCKY FUN. Near the 150 Metres, CHAMPION INSTINCT shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of GO HERO. Approaching the 300 Metres, LUCKY FUN became held up for clear running and as a consequence could not be tested until near the 25 Metres when it shifted to the inside of FUN TOGETHER to secure clear running. A veterinary inspection of GO HERO and AFFIRM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALWAYS FLUKE and COMMANDING MISSILE were sent for sampling.