01/01/2023  Shatin  Race 11

Whilst in the saddling stalls, THE BEST PEACH had its left front plate refitted. THE BEST PEACH was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie applied to LUCKY FUN was refitted. FAULDS began only fairly. THE BEST PEACH and STRAIGHT ARRON bumped at the start, resulting in THE BEST PEACH losing ground. CAPE BRETON shifted in at the start and bumped LUCKY FUN which in turn shifted in and bumped NORDIC STAR. DECRYPT shifted in on jumping and brushed GOOD BUDDY. From the outside barrier, IMPERIAL MAGEE got its head up on a number of occasions in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover. Also from a wide barrier, TOURBILLON PRINCE was steadied to obtain a position closer to the rail. When being steadied, TOURBILLON PRINCE proved difficult to settle. After travelling a short distance, CZARSON and NORDIC STAR bumped. After the 700 Metres, GOOD BUDDY was checked away from the heels of STRAIGHT ARRON which shifted out when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind SUPER SUNNY SING. At the 100 Metres, TOURBILLON PRINCE was shifted out away from the heels of STRAIGHT ARRON which shifted in. Then over the concluding stages, TOURBILLON PRINCE was held up for clear running between GOOD BUDDY and STRAIGHT ARRON, both of which shifted ground. Because of this TOURBILLON PRINCE was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. In the Straight, RED LION lay out under pressure. STRAIGHT ARRON lost its left hind plate after the race. After the race, Z Purton reported that STRAIGHT ARRON, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong today, became worked up in the Parade Ring and again behind the barriers. He said after being able to obtain a position just worse than midfield, STRAIGHT ARRON travelled strongly in the early and middle stages. He said rounding the Home Turn he was following the eventual winner SUPER SUNNY SING and after placing STRAIGHT ARRON under pressure, the horse did not quicken and then was disappointing in its failure to close the race off over the latter stages. He added that whilst STRAIGHT ARRON did not close the race off today, he believed that this was attributable to the manner in which the horse became worked up prior to the start. A veterinary inspection of STRAIGHT ARRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, H Bowman stated that after being disappointed with the manner in which GOOD BUBBY finished its most recent start off when ridden in the lead, he was asked to have the horse racing wherever it was comfortable. He said therefore in the early stages he did not ride GOOD BUDDY along, rather commenced to shift his mount across in an attempt to obtain cover behind STRAIGHT ARRON. He said after not being able to obtain that position, he hoped that TOURBILLON PRINCE, which was racing outside GOOD BUDDY, would be allowed to improve its position to provide GOOD BUDDY with cover, however, when that horse was restrained, this resulted in GOOD BUDDY being left racing wide and without cover at the 1100 Metres. He added that GOOD BUDDY became unbalanced when having to be checked away from the heels of STRAIGHT ARRON passing the 700 Metres. He said he placed GOOD BUDDY under pressure at the entrance to the Straight and, in his opinion, the horse finished the race off satisfactorily having regard to the circumstances of the race. A veterinary inspection of GOOD BUDDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CAPE BRETON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER SUNNY SING and A PAL were sent for sampling.