29/01/2023  Shatin  Race 4

On arrival at the barriers, the tongue tie applied to ISLAND SHINE was refitted. Also on arrival at the barriers, R Maia expressed concern regarding the action of SUPER DOBBIN. The Veterinary Officer reported that after the necessary consultations SUPER DOBBIN was suitable to race. A veterinary inspection of SUPER DOBBIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOAL ORIENTED began awkwardly and shifted out across the heels of STAR ASCENSION. HAPPY FOR ALL shifted in at the start and bumped DOUBLE SHOW. Then a short distance later, HAPPY FOR ALL was brushed by DENFIELD which shifted in away from FURTHER FORWARD after initially being inconvenienced by that horse. ISLAND SHINE was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. After beginning well, SUPER DOBBIN was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover from a wide barrier. Then approaching the 900 Metres, SUPER DOBBIN was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn near the 850 Metres, GOAL ORIENTED got its head up when shifting in away from the heels of SUPER DOBBIN. Passing the 400 Metres, EASY SNIP raced close to the heels of FURTHER FORWARD when being shifted out in an attempt to obtain clear running. EASY SNIP was then held up for clear running until the 200 Metres. STAR ASCENSION had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 300 Metres whilst LOST CHILD had difficulty obtaining clear running after the 200 Metres. Approaching and passing the 200 Metres, FURTHER FORWARD got its head on the side and lay in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. As LOST CHILD was attempting to improve into tight running between FINGERS CROSSED and FURTHER FORWARD after the 150 Metres, FURTHER FORWARD, which was continuing to lay in badly, was crowded for room inside EASY SNIP (C L Chau) which got its head on the side and commenced to lay in away from TRUST ME. Then near the 100 Metres, FURTHER FORWARD was severely checked when crowded for room between LOST CHILD which was continuing to attempt to improve into tight running between that horse and FINGERS CROSSED and EASY SNIP which, despite the efforts of its rider, got its head on the side and continued to lay in away from TRUST ME. This resulted in LOST CHILD being checked and bumping the hindquarters of FINGERS CROSSED which became unbalanced. BEAT HOLLOW, which was following FURTHER FORWARD, was shifted out a number of horses in consequence. C L Chau was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had satisfied his obligations in respect of attempting to prevent EASY SNIP from shifting ground and that there were a number of other circumstances which resulted in this incident and accordingly no further action was taken. In this incident, DENFIELD, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of FINGERS CROSSED and then was unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of FURTHER FORWARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FURTHER FORWARD, HAPPY FOR ALL and EASY SNIP were sent for sampling.