21/01/2023  Shatin  Race 6

DRAGON PRIDE began only fairly and bumped the outside of its gate and then lost ground after being steadied away from the heels of DEAR SIBLING which shifted in. CHING was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1500 Metres, FLYING MOJITO was shifted out away from the heels of ONE HEART ONE which was taken out by OSCAR GLORY. CHING was inconvenienced in consequence. OSCAR GLORY travelled keenly after the 1400 Metres. Near the 1350 Metres, DEAR SIBLING raced in restricted room between DRAGON PRIDE and FLYING MOJITO. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, MACH TEN got its head up when being eased away from the heels of TURQUOISE ALPHA. FLYING MOJITO, which was following MACH TEN, was inconvenienced in consequence. Approaching the 700 Metres, MISSION BRAVO was shifted out away from the heels of MIGHTY STAR as that horse came under pressure. After this, MISSION BRAVO travelled wide and without cover. Throughout the race, MIGHTY STAR travelled wide and without cover and after the 600 Metres came under pressure and then gave ground in the Straight and finished tailed out. The performance of MIGHTY STAR was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MIGHTY STAR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 400 Metres, MACH TEN was steadied when crowded for room between TURQUOISE ALPHA and ONE HEART ONE (K Teetan) which shifted out before being directed in abruptly to relieve the crowding to MACH TEN. When ONE HEART ONE was shifted back in, FLYING MOJITO, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence, after which FLYING MOJITO was held up for clear running. K Teetan was severely reprimanded and told that whilst the Stewards accepted that he did react in a timely manner to the crowding to MACH TEN, nonetheless he must exercise more care in future to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. After this, MACH TEN had difficulty obtaining clear running and passing the 300 Metres was held up behind initially TURQUOISE ALPHA and then OSCAR GLORY until passing the 200 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, DEAR SIBLING became unbalanced when improving into very tight running inside GENERAL ACE which commenced to give ground. Close to the finishing line, ONE HEART ONE was bumped by DRAGON PRIDE (A Hamelin) which shifted out under pressure. A Hamelin was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts. MACH TEN, which was racing to the outside of ONE HEART ONE, was inconvenienced in consequence. After the race, S De Sousa stated that after riding his mount positively from a wide barrier in the early stages, he steadied TURQUOISE ALPHA to obtain cover approaching and passing the 1400 Metres. He said when racing wide, he rode his mount along after the 1300 Metres to clear MACH TEN so as to obtain cover. He said because of these circumstances TURQUOISE ALPHA was ridden in a more forward position today than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of OSCAR GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHING and FLYING MOJITO were sent for sampling.