26/03/2023  Shatin  Race 6

INDIGENOUS REALM was withdrawn on 25.3.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (wound to right hind leg). Before being allowed to race again, INDIGENOUS REALM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FOREVER FOLKS jumped only fairly. CLASSIC ARCHI was crowded on jumping by DRAGON DELIGHT which shifted out, resulting in CLASSIC ARCHI then making contact with SMART BEAUTY. From the outside barrier, TURQUOISE ALPHA was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 600 Metres, OWNERS’ PRAISE was hampered when racing tight to the inside of EIGHTEEN PALMS. Near the 500 Metres, EIGHTEEN PALMS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART BEAUTY when being directed to that runner’s outside to obtain clear running. Near the 400 Metres, SMART BEAUTY shifted out slightly away from DARCI JOY and made contact with EIGHTEEN PALMS, resulting in EIGHTEEN PALMS racing tight to the inside of DRAGON DELIGHT. Near the 300 Metres, SMART BEAUTY was checked and EIGHTEEN PALMS became badly unbalanced when DARCI JOY (K Teetan) shifted out slightly and made contact with SMART BEAUTY which resulted in SMART BEAUTY being taken out onto EIGHTEEN PALMS, causing EIGHTEEN PALMS to bump the hindquarters of DRAGON DELIGHT (L Hewitson), turning that horse in slightly. As the Stewards found that both K Teetan and L Hewitson had endeavoured to correct their mounts when they received contact and commenced to shift ground, no further action was taken. When questioned regarding the apparent improvement of FOREVER FOLKS, Trainer C W Chang reported that at its last start FOREVER FOLKS failed to run out the 2000 Metres. He said as a result he gave FOREVER FOLKS a short break before barrier trialing the horse on 17 March 2023 where in his opinion it showed improvement. He added that today’s track conditions together with FOREVER FOLKS racing at a more suitable distance of 1600 Metres were the principal reasons for the horse’s improved performance. When questioned regarding SMART BEAUTY taking up a more forward position today, Apprentice Y L Chung stated that he was instructed to endeavour to find a position with cover where comfortable. He added that with the moderate pace in the early stages, SMART BEAUTY travelled keenly and for this reason he elected to allow his mount to stride forward whereby it obtain a position outside the leader OSCAR GLORY near the 1200 Metres and consequently settled in a more forward position than had been anticipated. Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions issued to Apprentice Chung. When questioned regarding the performance of DARCI JOY, K Teetan stated that his mount enjoyed a comfortable run in the event, but after making heavy contact with SMART BEAUTY near the 300 Metres and becoming unbalanced, DARCI JOY failed to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of DARCI JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of EIGHTEEN PALMS, C Y Ho stated that his mount was somewhat immature and raced greenly, particularly when positioned inside other runners. He added that after receiving interference near the 300 Metres, EIGHTEEN PALMS failed to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of EIGHTEEN PALMS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FOREVER FOLKS and OWNERS’ PRAISE were sent for sampling.