12/02/2022  Shatin  Race 2

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE was slow to begin. FANTASY SPRING began only fairly. POLARIS WINNER shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of RIGHT HONOURABLE which on jumping was bumped by IRON KING. After this, IRON KING was steadied to obtain cover. When being steadied in the early stages with a view to being shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier, WHAT A LEGEND got its head up on a number of occasions. From a wide barrier, MARADO was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 900 Metres, RIGHT HONOURABLE raced in restricted room between POLARIS WINNER and PRESIDENT’S CHOICE which shifted out. Making the turn near the 800 Metres, FANTASY SPRING got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of SIGHT HERO. FANTASY SPRING then commenced to travel keenly and approaching the 700 Metres was checked away from the heels of EIGHT TRIGRAMS. In the early stages, MARVEL DRAGON travelled wide and without cover and passing the 700 Metres was taken wider again by SIGHT HERO when improved to the outside of BAEBAE TSOI. Passing the 500 Metres, RIGHT HONOURABLE was awkwardly placed behind POLARIS WINNER. RIGHT HONOURABLE was then held up for clear running after the 350 Metres and passing the 300 Metres was directed to the outside of POLARIS WINNER to obtain clear running. MARADO had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Close to the finishing line, MARVEL DRAGON and MARADO raced tight. When questioned regarding his riding of WHAT A LEGEND in the Straight, A Hamelin stated that rounding the Home Turn he attempted to shift to the outside of PRESIDENT’S CHOICE to improve, however, as RIGHT HONOURABLE was racing directly to his outside, he was unable to shift out at this time, he therefore improved his position inside PRESIDENT’S CHOICE with a view to improving between that horse and FANTASY SPRING passing the 300 Metres. He said he was aware that the rider of FANTASY SPRING had the whip in the left hand and he felt that FANTASY SPRING may shift in under pressure. He said he therefore continued to attempt to improve to the outside of FANTASY SPRING, however, as PRESIDENT’S CHOICE was staying on to the outside of WHAT A LEGEND, he was unable to improve between those horses. He added that as he was continuing to attempt to improve outside FANTASY SPRING and as the rider of that horse was using the whip in the left hand passing the 250 Metres, he was unaware that a tight run existed to the inside of FANTASY SPRING for some distance after the 300 Metres. He said after being held up for clear running behind FANTASY SPRING between the 250 Metres and the 150 Metres, he shifted WHAT A LEGEND to the outside of that horse when running became available between FANTASY SPRING and PRESIDENT’S CHOICE near the 150 Metres. He said however that at this time BAEBAE TSOI was giving ground abruptly in advance of WHAT A LEGEND and he was again held up for clear running passing the 100 Metres behind that horse. He said he then commenced to improve to the inside of BAEBAE TSOI and outside FANTASY SPRING after the 100 Metres, however, was again held up for clear running over the final 50 Metres when BAEBAE TSOI shifted in. A Hamelin was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, given that there was no clear running to the outside of FANTASY SPRING, he had erred in failing to improve inside FANTASY SPRING after the 300 Metres into tight running which was available inside that horse. He was further told to ensure that he is alert to opportunities to improve his position in races, particularly at critical stages, so that horses ridden by him are able to obtain clear running and finish the race off as best as they are able under the circumstances. A veterinary inspection of BAEBAE TSOI and IRON KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MARVEL DRAGON, RIGHT HONOURABLE and EIGHT TRIGRAMS were sent for sampling.