12/02/2023  Shatin  Race 1

TO INFINITY blundered at the start and became unbalanced. ALLOY STAR jumped only fairly. YOUNG HORIZON jumped awkwardly, shifted out and bumped FELIX THE KING. FELIX THE KING was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier. ACA POWER was slow to begin, was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages and then raced keenly in the middle stages. From the outside barrier, TOUCH FAITH was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. YOUNG HORIZON raced keenly in the middle stages when being steadied to allow STEEL WIN to cross. Making the turn approaching the 800 Metres, FANTASY SPRING lay out and was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of STEEL WIN. LE PLUS VITE, which was following, was steadied as a consequence. Near the 350 Metres, LE PLUS VITE became held up behind STEEL WIN as that runner commenced to give ground. LE PLUS VITE was then shifted to the outside of STEEL WIN approaching the 250 Metres to obtain clear running. Near the 300 Metres, TAKINGUFURTHER had difficulty securing clear running between COMPULSORY and STRIVE FOR GLORY. TAKINGUFURTHER was then shifted to the inside of COMPULSORY near the 200 Metres and then raced tight to the inside of that runner until near the 100 Metres. Approaching the 200 Metres, ALLOY STAR became held up behind FANTASY SPRING and was directed in to improve to that runner’s inside passing the 200 Metres, however, was disappointed for this run when FANTASY SPRING shifted in, resulting in ALLOY STAR having to be steadied from the heels of FANTASY SPRING. In this incident, ALLOY STAR shifted in and made contact with LE PLUS VITE. ALLOY STAR then had some difficulty obtaining clear running when awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOUNG HORIZON until near the 100 Metres. Also approaching the 200 Metres, TO INFINITY, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when crowded between STEEL WIN and ACA POWER which shifted out to improve. Near the 150 Metres, LE PLUS VITE improved into a run to the inside of FANTASY SPRING (H Bentley) and soon after was steadied when crowded by FANTASY SPRING which, after initially shifting out and being corrected by its rider, then shifted back in. H Bentley was advised in similar circumstances he should exercise more care. In this incident, LE PLUS VITE shifted in and made contact with STEEL WIN which became unbalanced. STEEL WIN raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the race, L Ferraris (TAKINGUFURTHER) reported that after improving to the inside of COMPULSORY near the 100 Metres, his mount was inclined to lay out and for this reason he was unable to continue using the whip behind the saddle and commenced to use it in a position down the shoulder. L Ferraris was warned against the practice of using his whip forward of the saddle. A veterinary inspection of TO INFINITY and ALLOY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ACA POWER and TAKINGUFURTHER were sent for sampling.