16/01/2022  Shatin  Race 3

COURAGEOUS KNIGHT began only fairly and then shortly after the start was bumped by APACHE PASS which shifted out after stumbling on jumping. ALL JOYFUL, BEST FOR YOU and CHIRON were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, ASIAN ONE was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT momentarily raced in restricted room between APACHE PASS which shifted out and AMAZING TEENS which shifted in before being directed out abruptly to relieve the crowding to COURAGEOUS KNIGHT. After this, COURAGEOUS KNIGHT travelled wide and without cover. After the 1300 Metres, APACHE PASS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMAZING TEENS. Near the 250 Metres, WINMORE STAR (R Maia), which was shifting out away from the heels of AMAZING TEENS in an attempt to obtain clear running, clipped the heels of AMAZING TEENS and stumbled as that horse shifted out away from the heels of STEEL WIN. R Maia stated that when easing WINMORE STAR down after passing the winning post, the horse did not feel comfortable in its action and because of this he dismounted from WINMORE STAR. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that WINMORE STAR was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, WINMORE STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Over about the final 200 Metres, ALL JOYFUL was held up for clear running and because of this was not able to be tested. Near the 50 Metres, AMAZING TEENS was shifted out away from ALL JOYFUL as that horse was racing tight inside AMAZING TEENS. This resulted in AMAZING TEENS having to be eased away from behind WINMORE STAR. When questioned regarding the performance of APACHE PASS in today’s race compared to its only previous start over the course and distance on 13 November 2021, Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of APACHE PASS, stated that APACHE PASS is a horse which has generally trialed well on the All Weather surface and down in class today, he expected the horse to perform well. He said at its only other start on the surface APACHE PASS had to be ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position and as the horse was second up for the season on that occasion, its condition gave out which resulted in it weakening out of the race in the Straight. He said a combination of APACHE PASS’ fitness improving since that run together with the benefit of the dropping grade had allowed the horse to finish off the race better today than it was able to on that occasion. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING TEENS, ALL JOYFUL and CHIRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ALL JOYFUL, APACHE PASS and SUN OF MAKFI were sent for sampling.