12/03/2022  Shatin  Race 2

MISSION SMART began only fairly. KWAI CHUNG ELITE got its head in the air on jumping, began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of ZACIAN. FORTUNE MASTER shifted in on jumping and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SEIZE THE SPIRIT. APEX TOP shifted in at the start and bumped SUNNY BABY which in turn shifted in and inconvenienced TEAM GOODLUCK. DESTIN began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KUNG FU TEA. After this, from wide barriers, DESTIN and KUNG FU TEA were steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, BRAVE POWER was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1200 Metres, SEIZE THE SPIRIT was crowded for room inside ZACIAN (J Moreira) which shifted in. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. As ZACIAN was shifted out to relieve the tightening to SEIZE THE SPIRIT, ZACIAN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of APEX TOP (L Hewitson) which was shifting in. This resulted in ZACIAN, which was racing ungenerously, shifting in away from the heels of APEX TOP and causing SEIZE THE SPIRIT to be crowded for room and lose ground. L Hewitson was told that whilst there were some circumstances in respect of ZACIAN shifting out towards his heels to relieve the initial crowding to SEIZE THE SPIRIT, nonetheless he must ensure that he is properly clear of other runners when shifting ground in similar circumstances. MISSION SMART, which was following SEIZE THE SPIRIT, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence and after this raced tight between SEIZE THE SPIRIT and KWAI CHUNG ELITE. MISSION SMART then commenced to travel very keenly and for some distance after the 1100 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY BABY. MISSION SMART then again raced in restricted room between KWAI CHUNG ELITE and SEIZE THE SPIRIT which at this time shifted out away from the heels of ZACIAN. MISSION SMART was again awkwardly placed behind SUNNY BABY for some distance after the 1000 Metres. Passing the 700 Metres, NOBLE MAN (M F Poon) attempted to shift to the outside of TEAM GOODLUCK as APEX TOP, which was racing to the outside of NOBLE MAN and slightly behind that horse, commenced to improve its position around NOBLE MAN. When APEX TOP maintained its position and NOBLE MAN was not able to shift that horse out, NOBLE MAN lost ground when having to be checked away from the heels of TEAM GOODLUCK as a result of being disappointed for running between those horses. When NOBLE MAN lost ground, SUPER KIN was severely checked away from the heels of that horse near the 650 Metres, got its head up and shifted out abruptly which resulted in SUPER KIN bumping the hindquarters of ZACIAN which became badly unbalanced. SEIZE THE SPIRIT and MISSION SMART, which were following ZACIAN and racing to the outside of SUPER KIN, were checked in consequence, resulting in both horses being hampered and SEIZE THE SPIRIT losing ground. VICTORIOUS LEADER, which was following SUPER KIN, was badly crowded for room when improving to the inside of that horse as SUPER KIN continued to lose ground as a result of being badly unbalanced. FORTUNE MASTER was also hampered in consequence. DESTIN, which was following SEIZE THE SPIRIT, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in BRAVE POWER being taken wider. The Stewards were of the view that at the time that M F Poon elected to shift to the outside of TEAM GOODLUCK, he was entitled to do this as NOBLE MAN held an advantage over APEX TOP to his outside. The Stewards were also of the view that L Hewitson was entitled to hold his position to the outside of NOBLE MAN to prevent that horse from shifting out and therefore no carelessness existed in respect of the riding of either M F Poon or L Hewitson. They also formed the view that K Teetan, the rider of TEAM GOODLUCK, did not contribute to this incident by excessively reducing the tempo of the race. Whilst this incident was one of considerable significance in respect of the interference sustained not only by SUPER KIN and also a number of other runners, the Stewards were of the opinion that no rider had breached the Rules of Racing and accordingly, no further action was taken. VICTORIOUS LEADER had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Throughout the race, SUNNY BABY and KWAI CHUNG ELITE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY BABY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of SUPER KIN and VICTORIOUS LEADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SEIZE THE SPIRIT, TEAM GOODLUCK and APEX TOP were sent for sampling.