04/12/2022  Shatin  Race 8

BEAU GOSSE was slow to begin. GOLDEN FAIRY and VUKAN brushed on jumping. CASA LEGEND shifted out at the start and bumped STAR OF YUEN LONG. After this, CASA LEGEND was shifted across behind runners. WIN WIN was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, HO HO JUNIOR was momentarily awkwardly placed behind SUPER HIGHWAY. Passing the 1100 Metres, CASA LEGEND improved to be racing tight between BEAU GOSSE and GOLDEN FAIRY which at this time was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover behind GOOD NEWS. This resulted in CASA LEGEND racing tight outside the hindquarters of BEAU GOSSE which got its head up when racing keenly and awkwardly placed outside the heels of NOBLE STEED. After this, CASA LEGEND continued to race in restricted room between BEAU GOSSE and GOLDEN FAIRY and then making the turn after the 900 Metres BEAU GOSSE, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, shifted out, resulting in CASA LEGEND being taken out onto GOLDEN FAIRY which became unbalanced as a result of being bumped by CASA LEGEND. BEAU GOSSE then continued to prove difficult to settle for some distance after this. Near the 750 Metres, WIN WIN momentarily raced tight inside BEAU GOSSE which lay in. Passing the 300 Metres, CASA LEGEND was shifted out across the heels of VUKAN to obtain clear running. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that after the 1000 Metres he attempted to shift STAR OF YUEN LONG across to clear SUPER HIGHWAY and race outside the lead. He said he rode his mount along in an attempt to clear SUPER HIGHWAY, however, STAR OF YUEN LONG was not travelling strongly enough to be able to clear that horse which at this time was travelling strongly. He said he continued to try and clear SUPER HIGHWAY, however, passing the 800 Metres STAR OF YUEN LONG was at its top and was not able to improve sufficiently to cross SUPER HIGHWAY which resulted in STAR OF YUEN LONG having to race three wide and without cover. When questioned, S De Sousa stated that he was asked to ride BLISSFUL STAR in a position in advance of midfield, however, he was told to ensure not to cover unnecessary ground and if it was necessary to race further back in the field in order to avoid racing wide, then he should do so. He said on jumping he anticipated that VUKAN, which was drawn inside BLISSFUL STAR, would be ridden to take up a forward position and therefore he positioned BLISSFUL STAR outside that horse with a view to possibly improving with VUKAN. He said however that after traveling a short distance VUKAN was steadied by its rider and he believed that to ride BLISSFUL STAR along at this stage in order to clear VUKAN would have resulted in BLISSFUL STAR having to race wide, therefore he elected to steady his mount and shift across behind runners. He added that after the 900 Metres BLISSFUL STAR was travelling keenly and racing very wide and therefore he elected to continue to steady BLISSFUL STAR and obtain a position with cover behind CASA LEGEND but closer to the rail. He said this resulted in BLISSFUL STAR racing further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of NUNCHUKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CASA LEGEND, MARADO and YOUNG VICTORY were sent for sampling.