05/09/2021  Shatin  Race 10

MISTER SNOWDON, which proved reluctant to proceed into the saddling area, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. MR CROISSANT and HIGHLAND FORTUNE began only fairly. ZEBROWSKI began only fairly and then shortly after the start raced tight inside the heels of MISTER SNOWDON which shifted in. KILINDINI shifted out at the start and bumped MASTER MONTARO. Then from the outside barriers, KILINDINI and MASTER MONTARO were shifted across behind runners. THE ROCK and ROMAN TURBO bumped on jumping. Passing the 1000 Metres, REGENCY BO BO was left racing wide and without cover. MASTER MONTARO travelled keenly after the 1000 Metres. Near the 900 Metres, ZEBROWSKI, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of HIGHLAND FORTUNE. After the 800 Metres, HIGHLAND FORTUNE was checked away from the heels of TELECOM FIGHTERS. Rounding the Home Turn, MISTER SNOWDON and TELECOM FIGHTERS raced tight as MISTER SNOWDON shifted out from behind ROMAN TURBO which came under pressure when commencing to give ground. At the entrance to the Straight, THE ROCK was bumped by HIGHLAND FORTUNE which shifted to the outside of REGENCY BO BO to obtain clear running. Approaching the 100 Metres, ZEBROWSKI was directed to the inside of HIGHLAND FORTUNE to continue improving. Close to the finishing line, HIGHLAND FORTUNE raced tight inside THE ROCK. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on TELECOM FIGHTERS and it was available to him to either lead today’s race or obtain a trailing position. He said after allowing TELECOM FIGHTERS to stride forward in the early stages, he considered improving forward of MISTER SNOWDON which was racing to his inside, however, he was of the opinion that MISTER SNOWDON was holding its position without having to be ridden along and he felt that in order to clear MISTER SNOWDON he would have had to make some use of TELECOM FIGHTERS. He said when he became aware that ROMAN TURBO, from a wider barrier, was being ridden along to obtain a forward position, he was comfortable to allow TELECOM FIGHTERS to remain racing outside MISTER SNOWDON and then obtain a trailing position behind CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT which followed ROMAN TURBO across. He said after being crossed by ROMAN TURBO, the pace of the race slackened, however, up until this time the tempo had been steady enough for him to be comfortable to obtain a trailing position. Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of TELECOM FIGHTERS, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Chadwick and stated that he was satisfied with Jockey Chadwick’s decision not to contest the lead given the circumstances of the race in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of E STAR immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer”. A veterinary inspection of MASTER MONTARO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ROMAN TURBO immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, ROMAN TURBO will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and MISTER SNOWDON were sent for sampling.