01/01/2025  Shatin  Race 7

ACE WAR (J509): After the event, Apprentice P N Wong stated that the instructions were to position her mount where comfortable. She said after commencing well and when the pace of the event was being run outside of standard time throughout the early stages, ACE WAR was able to lead the event without being pressured to do so. Trainer D J Whyte confirmed the instructions issued and stated that whilst he had expected ACE WAR to be in a more forward position, he was surprised that it led today’s event. VOLCANIC SPARK (H388): On jumping was crowded between MATSU VICTOR and EN PERFECTO, both of which shifted ground. Approaching the 300 Metres was hampered when taken out by BEAUTY ALLIANCE when that runner was steadied to avoid MATSU VICTOR which shifted out. Prior to declaring weighed-in the Stewards viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection on behalf of 5th placegetter VOLCANIC SPARK against MATSU VICTOR being declared the 3rd placegetter. When the Stewards were satisfied there were not sufficient grounds, having regard to the beaten margin and the manner in which both horses finished the race off, they declined to lodge a protest/objection when connections also did not seek to do so. MATSU VICTOR (H472): Bumped at the start. BEAUTY ALLIANCE (J260): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 300 Metres was steadied and shifted out to avoid MATSU VICTOR (M L Yeung) which shifted out. M L Yeung was advised to exercise more care. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FLYING LUCK (J339): Between the 450 Metres and approaching the 300 Metres was held up for clear running. Lay in in the Home Straight. Sent for sampling post-race. INTREPID WINNER (G144): No report. LEGEND ST PAUL'S (J507): Sent for sampling post-race. CELTIC TIMES (G230): Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. SMILING COLLECTOR (G128): No report. HEALTHY GOLF (J424): No report. HAILTOTHEVICTORS (J508): After the event, L Hewitson stated that his mount commenced better today than at its previous race starts and as a consequence was able to take up a more forward position. ONLY U (J037): Jumped only fairly and then was bumped by FIGHT TIME which shifted in. Approaching the 100 Metres raced in restricted room between BEAUTY ALLIANCE and MATSU VICTOR which shifted out and away from FLYING LUCK. EN PERFECTO (J409): Shifted in at the start and was bumped. For some distance approaching the 900 Metres was buffeted between ONLY U and BEAUTY ALLIANCE (B Avdulla) which shifted in. EN PERFECTO then raced tight to the inside of BEAUTY ALLIANCE thereafter and near the 600 Metres was steadied when it continued to be crowded by BEAUTY ALLIANCE. B Avdulla was severely reprimanded and advised that he must ensure he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in future. FIGHT TIME (H409): Shifted in at the start and was bumped.