07/05/2023  Shatin  Race 11

MIGHTY STRIDE was bumped at the start by BEAUTY FIT which shifted in. ENDEARED was slow to begin. VIVA CHALEUR was crowded on jumping by AMAZING VICTORY which shifted in. From wide barriers, NEVER TOO SOON and IVY LEAGUE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. MASTER TORNADO lost its left hind plate in the early stages. Near the 800 Metres, BEAUTY FIT, which was racing keenly, shifted out and was steadied away from the heels of MASTER TORNADO. Passing the 500 Metres, BEAUTY FIT was steadied when it improved close to MASTER TORNADO which was commencing to give ground. SEIZING THE MOMENT raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding his riding and the performance of MIGHTY STRIDE, H Bowman stated that his instructions were to attempt to find running out wide where connections felt the ground was superior in the Home Straight. He stated that after following CIRCUIT MIGHTY into the Straight, he shifted to that runner’s outside to comply with his instructions, however, was prevented from continuing further out when racing to the inside of SEIZING THE MOMENT. He added as a result his mount’s momentum was halted for a short period near the 300 Metres whereby he was then able to shift back to the inside of MAJESTIC COLOUR to secure clear running. He said throughout the event MIGHTY STRIDE had an inclination to lay in, particularly when under pressure in the Straight, and was not entirely comfortable on the rain-affected going. A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY STRIDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of HYPER DRAGON BALL, Z Purton stated that he expected to take up a more forward position, but despite being ridden along in the early stages, HYPER DRAGON BALL did not show sufficient pace to do so. He added that HYPER DRAGON BALL hung in for the majority of the event and, in his opinion, was also not comfortable on today’s rain-affected going. A veterinary inspection of HYPER DRAGON BALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of VIVA CHALEUR and MASTER TORNADO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIGHTY STRIDE, SEIZING THE MOMENT and AMAZING VICTORY were sent for sampling.