02/06/2024  Shatin  Race 9

VICTOR THE WINNER (G404): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. INVINCIBLE SAGE (H301): Bumped at the start. After the race, H Bowman reported that whilst the horse was held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres, when asked for an effort thereafter, INVINCIBLE SAGE responded in a disappointing manner to his riding. He added that, in his opinion, INVINCIBLE SAGE may have reached the end of its preparation. Trainer D J Hall stated that INVINCIBLE SAGE had pleased him leading into the event and in particular it barrier trialed well at Conghua on 24 May 2024. He added the only explanation he could offer for its disappointing performance was that INVINCIBLE SAGE was disadvantaged when it lost momentum in the early part of the Home Straight when held up. Mr Hall confirmed that this would be the last run for the horse’s preparation. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIGHT SUCCESS (D375): No report. STOLTZ (G147): Jumped only fairly. FLYING ACE (G045): Sent for sampling post-race. HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE (H093): Bumped at the start. MUGEN (H338): Jumped only fairly. When questioned regarding his riding rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Home Straight and as to whether there was an option to improve to the outside of STOLTZ sooner than what he did, H Bentley stated that his instructions were to endeavour to improve between runners as MUGEN had raced best when being ridden in this manner previously. He added whilst the opportunity was available to shift to the outside of STOLTZ, having regard to his instructions, he persevered with a run to the inside of STOLTZ between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres before the run closed and he then commenced to shift to the outside of STOLTZ. He further stated that MUGEN lay in as he endeavoured to shift to the outside of STOLTZ and as a result did not obtain clear running to the outside of that runner until after the 200 Metres when MUGEN finished the race off well. Trainer P C Ng confirmed the instructions and stated that he issued such instructions as MUGEN had performed best when ridden in this manner and in particular when it last won on 21 January 2024 when it improved in between runners in the Home Straight. Mr Ng expressed satisfaction with H Bentley’s handling of MUGEN. KA YING RISING (J062): Sent for sampling post-race. SON PAK FU (G265): Withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, SON PAK FU will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.