26/10/2025  Shatin  Race 6

MASSIVE SOVEREIGN (J208): Shifted in near the 500 Metres and was bumped. When questioned regarding his riding B Avdulla stated that he was able to take up a handy position throughout the early and middle stages. He said when SAGACIOUS LIFE shifted in abruptly towards the rail near the 900 Metres he was required to allow MASSIVE SOVEREIGN to stride forward to avoid SAGACIOUS LIFE forcing him wider. He said as he did so MASSIVE SOVEREIGN then commenced to race keenly behind STEPS AHEAD for some distance thereafter. He added that leaving the 600 Metres he elected to allow MASSIVE SOVEREIGN to improve to the outside of STEPS AHEAD to prevent it from continuing to over-race and to also make a forward move as he was concerned MASSIVE SOVEREIGN would take some time to respond to his riding under its top weight of 135 lbs. After considering his explanation the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey B Avdulla were reasonable in the circumstances. RUBYLOT (H412): Bumped at the start. BUNDLE AWARD (K020): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. HONG LOK GOLF (J517): Near the 350 Metres was badly crowded by STEPS AHEAD which shifted in. Sent for sampling post-race. JOHANNES BRAHMS (K014): Held up for clear running approaching the 400 Metres. Near the 400 Metres endeavoured to improve into a narrow run between VOYAGE SAMURAI and SKY HEART when there was not quite sufficient room to do so. As JOHANNES BRAHMS continued to improve to the inside of SKY HEART it then was checked near the 350 Metres when SKY HEART was taken in by HONG LOK GOLF which shifted in when being badly crowded by STEPS AHEAD (C L Chau) when that runner lay in and away from MASSIVE SOVEREIGN. C L Chau was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to prevent his mounts from shifting in to avoid making contact with other runners. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MARKWIN (J420): Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. VOYAGE SAMURAI (J026): Near the 350 Metres was eased to avoid JOHANNES BRAHMS when that horse was checked. K C Leung reported that his mount was disadvantaged by being pressured in the lead in the early stages which resulted in it giving ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of VOYAGE SAMURAI, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VOYAGE SAMURAI will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STEPS AHEAD (J263): Leaving the 500 Metres made contact with MASSIVE SOVEREIGN which shifted in slightly. Approaching the 350 Metres lay in and away from MASSIVE SOVEREIGN and made contact with HONG LOK GOLF when it was being corrected by its rider C L Chau. Sent for sampling post-race. TALENTS AMBITION (J136): Jumped only fairly. STUNNING PEACH (J301): Passing the 1000 Metres was checked to avoid SAGACIOUS LIFE (Apprentice P N Wong) which shifted in abruptly as it was being corrected by its rider. As the Stewards were satisfied that Apprentice Wong had taken the appropriate action to straighten her mount no action was taken. SKY HEART (J092): Bumped at the start. Near the 350 Metres was bumped and became unbalanced. MICKLEY (K082): No report. SAGACIOUS LIFE (K507): The tongue tie was replaced at the Start. Jumped awkwardly. Sent for sampling post-race. HUGE WAVE (J197): Withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, HUGE WAVE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.