01/01/2023  Shatin  Race 3

MAGIC SUPREME (Apprentice Y L Chung) was slow to begin. After the race, Apprentice Chung confirmed that he was asked to lead today’s race if possible. He said however that after being slow to begin, he rode his mount along to obtain as forward a position as possible and then passing the 1300 Metres he shifted MAGIC SUPREME across to obtain a position with cover in midfield when the horse did not show sufficient speed to continue forward. BRILLIANT LIFE shifted out at the start, resulting in DUBLIN STAR (C L Chau), which began only fairly, being crowded for room inside EVER FORCE. EVER FORCE then shifted out and bumped VALHALLA. After the race, C L Chau reported that after being crowded on jumping, DUBLIN STAR was required to race further back in the field than had been intended. He said the horse travelled only fairly throughout the middle stages and then in the Straight did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of DUBLIN STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GEM OF SOUTH CHINA began awkwardly. BRAVE DREAMS and STAR ASCENSION bumped on jumping. SNOWALOT shifted out at the start and inconvenienced FLYING GALLOP. Then from wide barriers, SNOWALOT and FLYING GALLOP were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, TURTLE AGAIN was steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. Approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, GEM OF SOUTH CHINA travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EVER FORCE. Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, BRILLIANT LIFE proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed behind HAPPY FAT CAT. Approaching the 300 Metres, STAR ASCENSION raced tight outside BRILLIANT LIFE which shifted out from behind HAPPY FAT CAT. In the Straight, GEM OF SOUTH CHINA lay out under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Then approaching and passing the 200 Metres, MAGIC SUPREME raced tight between SNOWALOT and GEM OF SOUTH CHINA which continued to lay out under pressure. After the race, Z Purton reported that STAR ASCENSION came under pressure after the 600 Metres and then in the Straight did not finish the race off as strongly as anticipated. He said on pulling up STAR ASCENSION became unbalanced in its action. A veterinary inspection of STAR ASCENSION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, STAR ASCENSION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MAGIC SUPREME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BRAVE DREAMS, HAPPY FAT CAT and BRILLIANT LIFE were sent for sampling.