25/04/2021  Shatin  Race 10

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to HONG KONG BET was replaced. YOUNG LEGEND was slow to begin. SEATTLE CHOICE shifted in at the start, resulting in EXPLOSIVE WITNESS being crowded for room outside COURIER WONDER which shifted out after being bumped by EXPLOSIVE WITNESS. After this, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS and SEATTLE CHOICE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. RACING FIGHTER and MR CROISSANT brushed at the start. RACING FIGHTER was then bumped by DUKE WAI which shifted out. In the early stages, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS got its head up on a number of occasions when traveling keenly. Near the 250 Metres, HONG KONG BET was directed to the outside of WINNING DREAMER after being disappointed for running inside that horse which got its head on the side and lay in under pressure in the Straight. After the race, M F Poon reported that after being left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres, VICTORIAM then became unbalanced in its action passing the 200 Metres. He said after this VICTORIAM did not feel comfortable in its action over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of VICTORIAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORIAM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding of EXPLOSIVE WITNESS, particularly in the Home Straight, A Badel stated that he was asked to ride EXPLOSIVE WITNESS quietly in the early stages to ensure that the horse, which has known to prove difficult to settle in its races, could settle and finish the race off as best as possible. He said in the early stages EXPLOSIVE WITNESS would not settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. He said he placed EXPLOSIVE WITNESS under pressure to maintain its position behind SEATTLE CHOICE before shifting his mount out in the early part of the Straight. He said EXPLOSIVE WITNESS did not quicken as it had when ridden by him previously and for this reason he elected not to use the whip on the horse as he did not believe that EXPLOSIVE WITNESS would finish off the race any stronger. He added he continued to place EXPLOSIVE WITNESS under pressure and rode the horse out hands and heels to the finishing line, however, in his opinion, the horse closed off the race only fairly. A Badel was severely reprimanded and told that his riding of EXPLOSIVE WITNESS in the Home Straight had come under notice as it, in the opinion of the Stewards, lacked the necessary amount of vigour. He was further told to ensure that at all times he rides his mounts with sufficient purpose and vigour to ensure that his riding is not open to query. A veterinary inspection of EXPLOSIVE WITNESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COURIER WONDER and LUCKY PATCH were sent for sampling.