20/04/2024  Shatin  Race 9

ALL FOR ST PAUL'S (C517): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLAMING RABBIT (H257): Jumped awkwardly. RUNNING GLORY (G010): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LA CITY BLANCHE (G371): No report. THE BEST PEACH (H139): After the 200 Metres became held up behind SWEET ENCOUNTER and when being shifted to that runner’s outside had difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 100 Metres. Again became held up for clear running behind FLAMING RABBIT over the final 75 Metres and could not be fully tested to the finish of the event. CHILL CHIBI (H109): When questioned regarding his riding and the reason his mount raced wide and without cover from the 1200 Metres, C L Chau stated that after obtaining a position with cover behind ALACRITY, CHILL CHIBI was then taken wider when THE BEST PEACH shifted out. He said whilst there may have been an opportunity to obtain a trailing position behind THE BEST PEACH, he elected to remain racing wide and without cover from that point as the pace had eased. He added that as CHILL CHIBI is one-paced, he then attempted to allow his mount to stride forward into the event, but as the pace increased from the 800 Metres, he was unable to do so which resulted in CHILL CHIBI being obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Sent for sampling post-race. C P BRAVE (E306): Bumped shortly after the start. Sent for sampling post-race. NATURAL STORM (C461): Over the final 100 Metres lay out under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Sent for sampling post-race. SWEET ENCOUNTER (G426): Bumped on jumping. After the race, Z Purton stated that with the pace of the event increasing from the 800 Metres, SWEET ENCOUNTER found it difficult to run out a strong 1800 Metres and gave ground over the final 100 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALACRITY (H210): No report. PACKING HURRICANE (H137): No report. SPEED DRAGON (H380): No report. TURIN MASCOT (H165): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight and the reason he did not shift to the outside of SPEED DRAGON, M F Poon stated that on entering the Home Straight his mount was under pressure and not responding to his riding. He said as a result he elected to continue to follow CHILL CHIBI the favourite into the event with a view to then shifting to that runner’s outside should his mount improve. He added that approaching the 200 Metres TURIN MASCOT commenced to respond to his riding and when he then improved to the inside of SPEED DRAGON, he was unable to shift to that runner’s outside which resulted in TURIN MASCOT being held up for clear running over the final 150 Metres. Whilst the Stewards found the explanations provided by Jockey Poon were reasonable in the circumstances, he was advised, wherever possible, he should avail himself with opportunities to ensure that his mounts obtain clear running.