05/01/2025  Shatin  Race 3

SWORD POINT (G448): When questioned, K C Leung stated that his instructions were to endeavour to find cover on his mount as SWORD POINT had raced best when ridden in this manner. He said as a result entering the Back Straight he elected to shift in behind CALL ME GLORIOUS to trail that runner with cover. He said approaching the 700 Metres he observed TELECOM FIGHTERS commence a forward move and as a result he attempted to shift to the outside of CALL ME GLORIOUS to obtain a position one-off. He added that SWORD POINT responded only fairly to his urgings under its top weight of 135 lbs and when CALL ME GLORIOUS lay out slightly and TELECOM FIGHTERS held its line, he was unable to maintain that position and was steadied to avoid CALL ME GLORIOUS. Trainer F C Lor confirmed the instructions were to find cover on the horse. Sent for sampling post-race. MR ASCENDENCY (G227): No report. CAPITAL DELIGHT (H262): Crowded shortly after the start by SWORD POINT which shifted out slightly. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by A Atzeni, rider of CAPITAL DELIGHT, 2nd placegetter, against SWORD POINT being declared the winner alleging interference approaching the 300 Metres. After considering the evidence, the Stewards determined that near the 400 Metres SWORD POINT commenced to shift out when clear of CAPITAL DELIGHT to do so. As SWORD POINT continued to shift out, CAPITAL DELIGHT improved into a tight run between BUNDLE OF CHARM and SWORD POINT, lay in and a short distance later then blundered when it struck the heels of SWORD POINT. As the Stewards were satisfied that SWORD POINT was clear to shift ground when it commenced to do so and that CAPITAL DELIGHT had contributed to striking heels when it lay in, they overruled the protest/objection and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, the Stewards confirmed their decision in the protest/objection that SWORD POINT was clear to shift ground when it commenced to do so and that CAPITAL DELIGHT had lay in and this was the principal reason for CAPITAL DELIGHT striking heels and blundering. As a result, no action was taken. Sent for sampling post-race. BUNDLE OF CHARM (G213): Bumped at the start. Near the 1100 Metres, when racing keenly, was steadied away from TELECOM FIGHTERS. CALL ME GLORIOUS (H410): In the early stages lay out and as a result made the first turn wider. TELECOM FIGHTERS (D482): Bumped at the start. TURIN MASCOT (H165): After the event, M F Poon could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YELLOWFIN (G326): Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.