09/04/2023  Shatin  Race 7

GOOD BOY jumped awkwardly, made contact with the left side of its barrier and lost ground. RACING FIGHTER was crowded at the start between FAST BUCK and TIMESTORM which jumped awkwardly and shifted in. FAST BUCK lost its left hind plate shortly after the start. MULAN was bumped shortly after the start by HAPPY GOLF which shifted out. From the outside barrier, KEEN UNITY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SUPER JOY raced keenly in the early stages and approaching the 800 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from URBAN TRIUMPH. Throughout the early and middle stages, EAGLE RUN raced keenly, got its head up and refused to settle. Near the 250 Metres, GOOD BOY was shifted to the inside of MULTIDARLING to obtain clear running. Then approaching the 50 Metres, GOOD BOY was directed to the outside of MULTIDARLING to continue into clear running. When questioned regarding his riding in the Straight, C L Chau (MULTIDARLING) stated that after following CALL ME DANDY into the Straight, he observed that horse shift in slightly and as a result he positioned MULTIDARLING to the outside of that runner with the intent of improving between CALL ME DANDY and URBAN TRIUMPH. He added that near the 300 Metres CALL ME DANDY then shifted out slightly which resulted in MULTIDARLING becoming held up behind CALL ME DANDY and unable to secure clear running until near the 200 Metres. When questioned as to whether there was an opportunity to shift to the inside of CALL ME DANDY, C L Chau stated that as he felt URBAN TRIUMPH was commencing to give ground and the fact that CALL ME DANDY had been inclined to shift ground when under pressure, he felt the best option was to continue out to provide his mount with the best opportunity in securing clear running. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Chau were reasonable in the circumstances. When questioned regarding his riding of RACING FIGHTER, S De Sousa stated that his instructions were to endeavour to obtain a midfield position if possible. He said at the start RACING FIGHTER was crowded for room and as a consequence settled back in the field. He added that throughout the early and middle stages RACING FIGHTER did not travel well and he was obliged to place pressure on his mount at various stages to hold his position. He said making the Home Turn he elected to shift to the inside of MIRACULOUS HONOUR to improve as he felt that RACING FIGHTER was not travelling well enough to make a run around the field. He said after improving to the inside of MIRACULOUS HONOUR near the 400 Metres, he was unable to place his mount under full pressure as he felt RACING FIGHTER was racing in restricted room inside MIRACULOUS HONOUR and he was concerned that KEEN UNITY, which was positioned to his inside, would shift out and for this reason he then did not fully test his mount for some distance after the 400 Metres. He added near the 350 Metres he commenced to place his mount under full pressure and after shifting to the outside of MULAN near the 300 Metres, he then became held up behind ALWAYS FLUKE and was unable to obtain clear running until near the 100 Metres whereby his mount finished the race off well. When questioned if there was an opportunity to shift to the inside of ALWAYS FLUKE sooner than what he did, S De Sousa stated that he was concerned that FAST BUCK was commencing to give ground at that point and for this reason he was obliged to wait until a run developed between FAST BUCK and ALWAYS FLUKE to secure clear running. The Stewards advised S De Sousa that, in their opinion, the opportunity existed near the 400 Metres to place his mount under pressure sooner than what he did on this occasion and he should, wherever possible, endeavour to ride his mounts in such a manner so as to leave no room for query. A veterinary inspection of RACING FIGHTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, L Ferraris (TIMESTORM) stated that with blinkers on today, he was given the option to race in a more forward position from a wide barrier with the race that appeared devoid of genuine pace. Trainer D J Hall confirmed the instructions issued. Also after the race, Z Purton (FAST BUCK) stated that whilst his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event, FAST BUCK still raced in a disappointing manner. A veterinary inspection of FAST BUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY GOLF and MULTIDARLING were sent for sampling.