16/07/2022  Shatin  Race 5

BORN THE SAME DAY was withdrawn on 15.7.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SHANGHAI DRAGON (H Bentley). Before being allowed to race again, BORN THE SAME DAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BIG BROOK was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. From wide barriers, CHATER PINS, SMILING TIME and BRIGHT KID were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. After the race, L Currie stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on SWOT TROOPERS WIND, however, the horse began only fairly today as it did at its most recent start and because of this he shifted the horse across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, SMILING TIME was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DARCI JOY which was being steadied to obtain cover. Due to the slow tempo in the middle stages, TURQUOISE ALPHA commenced to travel keenly passing the 1200 Metres and got its head up when racing close to the heels of MURRAY’S PARTNERS. Passing the 1100 Metres, CHATER PINS was checked when crowded for room between DARCI JOY which shifted in marginally and VICTORY PARK which shifted out abruptly after racing tight between RED ELYSEES and KING TOURBILLON. When VICTORY PARK shifted out, that horse bumped DARCI JOY which became unbalanced. TURQUOISE ALPHA, which was continuing to travel keenly, was steadied away from the heels of CHATER PINS in consequence. After the 1100 Metres, BRIGHT KID commenced to race ungenerously and shifted out from behind SMILING TIME which travelled wide and without cover after the 1200 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, the whip of K Teetan (MURRAY’S PARTNERS) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of Z Purton (TURQUOISE ALPHA). Also passing the 300 Metres, BIG BROOK was momentarily awkwardly placed behind KING TOURBILLON. Then near the 175 Metres, BIG BROOK was shifted out away from the heels of RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE which at this time improved to the outside of HYPERION TREE after being held up for clear running behind that horse. Approaching the 100 Metres, TURQUOISE ALPHA became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by MURRAY’S PARTNERS which, after shifting out away from the heels of BRIGHT KID, then shifted further. K Teetan was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. For the majority of the race, DARCI JOY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HYPERION TREE, A Badel was not able to offer any explanation for the manner in which the horse failed to finish the race off. He said HYPERION TREE was able to obtain a soft lead and dictate the terms of the race. He said he placed HYPERION TREE under pressure in the early part of the Straight and after initially responding satisfactorily the horse then weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. He said the only reason he could offer for HYPERION TREE’s failure to run on was that horses racing towards the inside did not seem to be advantaged. A veterinary inspection of HYPERION TREE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DARCI JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CHATER PINS immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, CHATER PINS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TURQUOISE ALPHA and BRIGHT KID were sent for sampling.