05/06/2022  Shatin  Race 4

Whilst in the saddling stalls, YOUNG EXPLORER had its left hind plate re-adjusted. YOUNG EXPLORER was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. BUDDY SPIRIT, which bumped a rail on entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers who said that the horse was suitable to race. YOUNG EXPLORER and TUNG HAYE HAYE were slow to begin. HAPPY DAY was crowded for room on jumping between HEARTY WISH and BUDDY SPIRIT which shifted out. In this incident, HEARTY WISH became unbalanced after being bumped by HAPPY DAY. FIERY DIAMOND shifted out on jumping and bumped LOVE ME MORE. DUBLIN STAR began very awkwardly, shifted out and hampered BRAVE DREAMS. After this, from wide barriers, DUBLIN STAR and BRAVE DREAMS were shifted across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, SUNSET WATCH was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. When being steadied to obtain cover after the 1300 Metres, HEARTY WISH got its head up and travelled keenly. Approaching the 1100 Metres, YOUNG EXPLORER was crowded for room inside FIERY DIAMOND which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY DAY. FIERY DIAMOND then continued to race close to the heels of HAPPY DAY, resulting in YOUNG EXPLORER continuing to race in restricted room inside FIERY DIAMOND for some distance. LOVE ME MORE was left racing wide and without cover after the 1100 Metres. Due to the slow tempo of the race in the early stages, a number of horses proved very difficult to settle including TUNG HAYE HAYE which shifted out abruptly away from the heels of DUBLIN STAR near the 1100 Metres; BRAVE DREAMS which got its head up repeatedly approaching the passing the 1000 Metres; and WOODFIRE BRO which, after being crossed by KUNG FU TEA (L Ferraris), then commenced to prove very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of that horse approaching and passing the 900 Metres. As KUNG FU TEA was restrained to the outside of GANG OF BROTHERS, L Ferraris was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that the race was already being run at a slow tempo, nonetheless his actions in restraining KUNG FU TEA further at this stage of the race compounded the difficulties being experienced by horses and runners behind the speed. Accordingly, he was told to ensure that he does not restrain his mounts to the extent that horses following are not placed in unnecessarily awkward positions. When WOODFIRE BRO was checked away and from behind KUNG FU TEA, HAPPY DAY, which was following that horse, shifted out away from the heels of WOODFIRE BRO, resulting in HEARTY WISH being taken wider and without cover. FIERY DIAMOND, which was also following WOODFIRE BRO, improved into tight running inside that horse, resulting in YOUNG EXPLORER again racing in restricted room inside FIERY DIAMOND. WOODFIRE BRO and HAPPY DAY then raced tight after the 800 Metres. After being ridden along to maintain its position inside FIERY DIAMOND, YOUNG EXPLORER was checked away from the heels of BUDDY SPIRIT after the 900 Metres. SUNSET WATCH was steadied away from the heels of YOUNG EXPLORER in consequence. After this, YOUNG EXPLORER continued to be awkwardly placed behind BUDDY SPIRIT until near the 700 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, GANG OF BROTHERS and KUNG FU TEA brushed. KUNG FU TEA and GANG OF BROTHERS then raced tight passing the 300 Metres. After the race, K Teetan stated that, in his opinion, BRAVE DREAMS did not finish the race off today due to being unsuited by the slow tempo in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of BRAVE DREAMS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HEARTY WISH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY DAY, GANG OF BROTHERS and KUNG FU TEA were sent for sampling.