10/07/2022  Shatin  Race 6

EMBARKED began very awkwardly and lost ground. KING TOURBILLON and BEAUTY SPIRIT bumped at the start. REGENCY MASTER was bumped on jumping by CORDYCEPS TWO which was taken in by WOODFIRE BRO. BEAUTY NOVA shifted out at the start and bumped PALACE PAL. Then from the outside barrier, PALACE PAL was shifted across behind runners. BIG BROOK began only fairly. A short distance after the start, OSCAR GLORY and V CHEVALIERS bumped. From a wide barrier, AURORA HERO was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain cover approaching the 1400 Metres, V CHEVALIERS travelled keenly. Passing the 1300 Metres, LET’S DO IT got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain cover. PRESIDENT’S CHOICE lost its left hind plate after the 1100 Metres. After the 700 Metres, OSCAR GLORY raced tight between BEAUTY NOVA and KING TOURBILLON which shifted out. BEAUTY NOVA was then bumped by OSCAR GLORY approaching the 600 Metres. Approaching the 350 Metres, BEAUTY NOVA was bumped by AURORA HERO (M Chadwick), which after initially attempting to shift to the outside of OSCAR GLORY, was then shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse as OSCAR GLORY shifted out marginally. M Chadwick was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must exercise care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 200 Metres, AURORA HERO momentarily raced tight outside the heels of OSCAR GLORY which shifted out away from BIG BROOK which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of KING TOURBILLON. Near the 50 Metres, REGENCY MASTER turned its head to the right and attempted to savage OSCAR GLORY. As this was the first time that REGENCY MASTER was reported to have attempted to savage another runner in a race, Mr C S Shum, trainer of the horse, was advised that a warning would be placed on the racing manners of REGENCY MASTER and should the horse perform in a similar manner in the future, further action may be taken. Throughout the race, WOODFIRE BRO travelled wide and without cover. The performance of BEAUTY NOVA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY NOVA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, R Maia stated that he was instructed to ride CORDYCEPS TWO positively in the early stages in order to overcome the horse’s wide barrier. He said after riding his mount along shortly after the start, CORDYCEPS TWO was able to improve its position and after the 1400 Metres he commenced to shift the horse across in front of runners to obtain a position on the rail which he was able to do near the 1300 Metres. He said after obtaining the lead, he attempted to steady his mount with a view to getting cover if possible. He said when he steadied his mount which was travelling keenly, he received a call from the rider of the horse positioned immediately behind CORDYCEPS TWO and as he felt that he may have been placing that horse and rider in an awkward position by steadying his mount too excessively, he elected to shift away from the rail rather than have to ride his mount along as he was concerned that CORDYCEPS TWO was already racing too keenly. He said he felt that it was a better option to shift CORDYCEPS TWO out as he was of the belief that if he did ride his mount along, this would not provide CORDYCEPS TWO with the best opportunity to finish the race off. He added that as a result of shifting away from the rail, this allowed BEAUTY SPIRIT the opportunity to improve its position inside CORDYCEPS TWO which then relaxed better when able to obtain a position outside BEAUTY SPIRIT. R Maia was told that his riding of CORDYCEPS TWO after the 1300 Metres had come under notice and that it was imperative that jockeys ride in a competitive manner so as to ensure that their riding is not open to query. A veterinary inspection of OSCAR GLORY and CORDYCEPS TWO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LET’S DO IT, WOODFIRE BRO and PRESIDENT’S CHOICE were sent for sampling.