19/03/2023  Shatin  Race 3

DEVIL AND GOLD jumped only fairly. MULTIDARLING and FAST BUCK bumped at the start. On jumping, GOLDEN SAMURAI was hampered when crowded by ROYAL AGILITY which shifted out, resulting in GOLDEN SAMURAI being taken out and GOOD BOY being steadied to avoid the heels of DUBLIN STAR which also shifted in slightly. After this, GOOD BOY was shifted across behind runners and then raced keenly in the early stages and near the 900 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of FAST BUCK. In the early stages, HAPPILY FRIENDS raced keenly when being steadied to allow AWESOME TREASURE to cross. Near the 950 Metres, SUPER HIGHWAY was steadied and directed to the outside of ROYAL AGILITY when awkwardly placed close to that runner. FAST BUCK raced keenly in the middle stages and near the 800 Metres was steadied to avoid GLUCK RACER which was also steadied at that stage when positioned close to ROUND THE GLOBE. MULTIDARLING lost its left front plate near the 1050 Metres. Near the 400 Metres, ROYAL AGILITY bled and as a result became unbalanced, broke through the inside running rail and fell, resulting in its rider, M L Yeung, being dislodged. In this incident, ROYAL AGILITY lost its right hind plate. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL AGILITY immediately following the race confirmed that horse to have bled from both nostrils. M L Yeung was subsequently examined by the Chief Medical Officer and stood down from his remaining race riding engagement. Over the final 125 Metres, SUPER HIGHWAY lay in and proved difficult to ride out. Near the 75 Metres, GOLDEN SAMURAI raced tight to the outside of GLUCK RACER which shifted out slightly. When questioned regarding his riding, S De Sousa (DUBLIN STAR) stated that from the outside barrier he was asked to ride his mount back in the field. He said as a result he shifted DUBLIN STAR behind runners where it settled towards the rear of the field. He added on straightening he commenced to ride DUBLIN STAR along before shifting out and endeavoured to obtain clear running between GOOD BOY and GOLDEN SAMURAI, however, when GOLDEN SAMURAI shifted out, this resulted in DUBLIN STAR being held up when disappointed for this run. He further added he then shifted DUBLIN STAR back to the inside of GOLDEN SAMURAI near the 125 Metres whereby his mount finished the race off reasonably well. The Stewards noted Jockey De Sousa’s explanation. After the race, R Moore advised that FAST BUCK did not travel comfortably throughout the event and on straightening became momentarily unbalanced. He attributed FAST BUCK’s performance today to the horse losing its left front plate at the start. A veterinary inspection of FAST BUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, it was noted that ROUND THE GLOBE had shifted its right front plate. ROYAL AGILITY, ROUND THE GLOBE, SUMMIT CHEERS and AWESOME TREASURE were sent for sampling.