28/09/2024  Shatin  Race 9

WINNING DRAGON (E461): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHING (G380): For some distance approaching the 500 Metres raced tight to the inside of WINNING DRAGON and made contact with that runner. When questioned, L Hewitson stated that after being crowded near the 500 Metres he was not too disappointed with the performance of his mount in that it continued to make some ground and respond to his riding in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SWEET ENCOUNTER (G426): No report. FRANTANCK (H429): When questioned regarding her tactics adopted and the reason she allowed her mount to improve into the lead after the 800 Metres, Apprentice P N Wong stated that her instructions were to lead but not to place pressure on her mount to do so. She said after PRAY FOR MIR and VOYAGE SAMURAI showed superior pace in the early stages, she was positioned behind those two runners. She said near the 1400 Metres FRANTANCK commenced to race keenly where she attempted to maintain a position with cover behind VOYAGE SAMURAI. She said as she endeavoured to do so, FRANTANCK continued to race keenly and commenced to make a respiratory noise. She said rather than excessively restraining her mount, when VOYAGE SAMURAI shifted towards the rail, she allowed FRANTANCK to race outside that runner. When questioned if there was an opportunity to maintain her position to the outside of VOYAGE SAMURAI rather than continuing forward to lead, Apprentice Wong stated that FRANTANCK continued to race keenly and whilst she was aware that the pace of the event had been run inside of standard time in the early stages, she felt her best option was to allow FRANTANCK to cross to the lead in an attempt to have it relaxed and also to control the respiratory noise her mount was making. Assistant Trainer P H Lo, representing Trainer P C Ng who was not present at today’s racemeeting, confirmed the instructions issued and in particular not excessively restrain FRANTANCK. Having considered the explanations provided by Apprentice Wong, the tactics she adopted were considered by the Stewards to be reasonable in the circumstances. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer”. M UNICORN (G466): Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. VOYAGE SAMURAI (J026): Sent for sampling post-race. FORTUNATE SON (J446): No report. STAR MAC (J053): Slow to begin and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 500 Metres was checked when momentarily crowded by CHING which, after making contact with WINNING DRAGON (Y L Chung), was then taken in slightly by WINNING DRAGON before Jockey Chung corrected his mount. Y L Chung was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. FORTUNE SUPERSTAR (J210): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SECOND TO NONE (H319): No report. PRAY FOR MIR (J245): Sent for sampling post-race. SUPER LOVE DRAGON (J038): Jumped only fairly. VOLCANIC SPARK (H388): No report.