24/10/2021  Shatin  Race 4

On arrival at the barriers, DURHAM STAR, which was reported to have kicked out on the way to the racecourse, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and found to be suitable to race. LAPUTA began only fairly. GREAT KING shifted out at the start and made heavy contact with BOOM STITCH, resulting in BOOM STITCH becoming unbalanced and GREAT KING becoming badly unbalanced and losing ground. DARCI JOY began awkwardly and then lost ground when steadied away from the heels of GOLDEN BOLT which shifted out abruptly. After the 1200 Metres, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT and DURHAM STAR raced tight as DURHAM STAR shifted in. Then passing the 1100 Metres, DURHAM STAR got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING SWORD and shifted in, resulting in COURAGEOUS KNIGHT and DURHAM STAR bumping. After this, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING VICTORY. LAPUTA, which was following DURHAM STAR, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse passing the 1000 Metres. Near the 900 Metres, GOLDEN FOUR was left racing wide and without cover. At the 400 Metres, DURHAM STAR was bumped by COURAGEOUS KNIGHT (A Badel) which shifted to the outside of FLYING SWORD in an attempt to obtain clear running. A Badel was reprimanded and told that he must exercise far more care than he did on this occasion when shifting ground. After this, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT had some difficulty obtaining clear running. Approaching the 200 Metres, DAILY BEAUTY got its head on the side and lay in away from AI ONE, resulting in DAILY BEAUTY being checked away from the heels of DARCI JOY which at this stage shifted out marginally away from the heels of LAPUTA. At the 150 Metres, GOLDEN BOLT was struck across the nose by the whip of K Teetan (BOOM STITCH). Over the concluding stages, GOLDEN FOUR lay in under pressure. Close to the finishing line, AI ONE raced tight outside DARCI JOY which shifted out away from GOLDEN FOUR which, after initially laying in, was then shifted out to prevent causing interference to LAPUTA. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by K Teetan, the rider of BOOM STITCH, which finished second, against FLYING SWORD, which finished first, alleging interference over about the final 200 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties and after viewing the videos, it was found that at the entrance to the Straight FLYING SWORD was shifted out from behind BOOM STITCH to obtain clear running and that approaching the 200 Metres BOOM STITCH and FLYING SWORD bumped as a result of both horses shifting ground. After this, BOOM STITCH lay in under pressure away from FLYING SWORD. It was further found that after the 100 Metres BOOM STITCH, which was continuing to lay in, raced tight inside FLYING SWORD which itself shifted in under pressure. BOOM STITCH then continued to lay in away from that horse over the concluding stages. The Stewards found that after coming from behind BOOM STITCH in the early part of the Straight, the contact between BOOM STITCH and FLYING SWORD resulted from both horses shifting ground. It was further found that whilst FLYING SWORD shifted in under pressure and raced tight outside BOOM STITCH after the 100 Metres, BOOM STITCH’s racing manners were such that that horse continued to lay in away from FLYING SWORD. Having regard to all the circumstances and the half length margin between the horses at the end of the race, the Stewards were of the opinion that BOOM STITCH’s racing manners had been an integral factor to this matter and therefore the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Near the 75 Metres, LEADING FORTUNE was checked when crowded for room inside BOOM STITCH (K Teetan) which, after being directed in passing the 100 Metres by FLYING SWORD (L Ferraris), then shifted in away from that horse under pressure. L Ferraris was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in passing the 100 Metres which resulted in BOOM STITCH being taken in towards LEADING FORTUNE. K Teetan was also reprimanded for, after initially being directed in, not making more endeavour than he did to prevent BOOM STITCH from shifting in and away from that horse. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that GREAT KING had bled from both nostrils and that FLYING SWORD had sustained a laceration to its right hind hoof. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN BOLT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DURHAM STAR, FLYING SWORD and BOOM STITCH were sent for sampling.