07/04/2024  Shatin  Race 2

ESCAPE ROUTE (E273): Approaching the 350 Metres was bumped on two occasions by LEGION OF MERIT (B Thompson) when that runner shifted to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY to obtain clear running. B Thompson was advised to exercise more care. SOLAR GOGO (H390): No report. DARCI JOY (E161): Bumped shortly after the start. Approaching the 1800 Metres, when being steadied to obtain cover, got its head up when racing keenly. Near the 500 Metres lay out and then blundered badly when positioned close to SOLAR GOGO, resulting in DARCI JOY losing ground. After the race, Z Purton stated that his intention was to hold a more forward position, but his mount jumped only fairly, made contact with ME TIME and then when caught wide he was obliged to ride DARCI JOY in a conservative manner in the early stages to obtain cover. Sent for sampling post-race. Noted to have lost its left hind plate after the race. SATIRICAL GLORY (H073): No report. SHARPEN BRIGHT (H276): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 500 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of FLYING SILVER. Shifted in inside the 100 Metres and made contact with CHATEAU LE PECHE. SPECIAL HEDGE (H354): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHATEAU LE PECHE (H471): Bounded on jumping, resulting in its rider M L Yeung becoming unbalanced. Briefly held up near the 400 Metres. Inside the 100 Metres was bumped by SHARPEN BRIGHT which shifted in. ME TIME (J074): Jumped awkwardly. Approaching the 1800 Metres was steadied when improving behind WINNING STEPS. WINNING STEPS (G420): Sent for sampling post-race. FRUITY WARRIOR (J035): Jumped awkwardly. When questioned, H Bentley stated that his instructions were to settle his mount where comfortable, however, the stable was confident that FRUITY WARRIOR would be able to run out a strong 2000 Metres. He said from an inside barrier he was able to obtain an on-pace position in the early stages behind SATIRICAL GLORY. He said with the early pace of the event being run inside of standard time, he was concerned that the leader SPECIAL HEDGE may ease the pace in the Back Straight and for this reason he elected to shift his mount to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY to avoid being positioned in amongst horses. He added that after holding a position to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY near the 1300 Metres, he was reluctant to continue forward as he was concerned that H Bowman, rider of SATIRICAL GLORY, would shift away from the rail, resulting in his mount racing wide and without cover. He stated that as he remained racing behind and to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY, that runner shifted away from the rail, resulting in FRUITY WARRIOR being taken three wide and without cover. He said given the pace of the event continuing to be running inside of standard, he elected to remain racing in that position rather than attempting to go forward and cross SATIRICAL GLORY which would have resulted in the pace of the event increasing. He further stated that from the 500 Metres FRUITY WARRIOR came under pressure and raced in a disappointing manner thereafter. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Bentley were reasonable in the circumstances. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY BABY (E166): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 500 Metres was steadied to avoid DARCI JOY and shifted to that runner’s inside. FLYING SILVER (E478): Near the 500 Metres struck the heels of DARCI JOY when that runner gave ground quickly, resulting in FLYING SILVER blundering badly and Apprentice Y L Chung becoming badly unbalanced and losing the use of his left stirrup iron for the remainder of the event. LEGION OF MERIT (D419): Approaching the 350 Metres was held up behind SATIRICAL GLORY and then shifted to that runner’s outside to obtain clear running and made contact with ESCAPE ROUTE on two occasions when being shifted out. When questioned regarding his riding in the early part of the Home Straight and the reason he elected to shift out, B Thompson stated that due to the early pace of the event being run inside of standard time, he was concerned that had he remained racing to the inside of SATIRICAL GLORY, he may have experienced difficulty obtaining clear running due to SPECIAL HEDGE giving ground. He said for this reason he elected to come to the outside of SATIRICAL GLORY as he felt that runner would provide him with the opportunity to improve into the event. Sent for sampling post-race. MANAGEMENT FOLKS (E496): Withdrawn on 5.4.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame both fore). Before being allowed to race again, MANAGEMENT FOLKS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.