21/05/2023  Shatin  Race 1

CRAIG’S MASTER, which kicked a rail when entering the track, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race. EIGHT TRIGRAMS jumped awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SPEEDY FORTUNE. MAGIC TRAVELLER shifted out at the start and brushed EIGHT TRIGRAMS. On jumping, DREAM PURSUER was checked when crowded between SPEEDY SMARTIE which shifted in and DIAMOND FOREVER which jumped awkwardly and shifted out. In this incident, DIAMOND FOREVER and SPEEDY SMARTIE both became unbalanced when bumping with DREAM PURSUER. CRAIG’S MASTER jumped awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 700 Metres, STAR CLUB commenced to race keenly and as a result was steadied away from the heels of CRAIG’S MASTER. Passing the 500 Metres, DIAMOND FOREVER became unbalanced when racing tight between MAGIC TRAVELLER and SPEEDY SMARTIE which was inclined to lay in. Near the 150 Metres, HO HO STAR was bumped by DREAM PURSUER which shifted out to improve. When placed under pressure in the Straight, SUNLIGHT POWER was inclined to lay in and proved difficult to ride out. When questioned regarding his riding of STAR CLUB, A Badel stated that he was given no specific instructions other than to have STAR CLUB settle where comfortable. He said STAR CLUB jumped only fairly, then shortly after the start was crowded by SUNLIGHT POWER which shifted in and as a result settled towards the rear of the field. When questioned regarding his riding making the Home Turn and the early part of the Straight and if there was an opportunity to improve to the outside of CRAIG’S MASTER, A Badel stated that to avoid covering additional ground, he initially attempted to obtain running between ART LITE and HO HO STAR, however, when DREAM PURSUER shifted out to take advantage of that run, this resulted in his mount being held up for clear running behind HO HO STAR for some distance in the early part of the Straight. He added that approaching the 300 Metres he was then able to shift his mount to the outside of CRAIG’S MASTER to secure clear running whereby STAR CLUB found the line strongly although its run may have ended near the 50 Metres. Trainer R Gibson confirmed the instructions were to ride STAR CLUB where comfortable, particularly as the horse had disappointed him at its first race start. He expressed satisfaction with the manner in which STAR CLUB was ridden by Jockey Badel. After considering A Badel’s explanation, whilst the Stewards found the option of endeavouring to improve to the inside of HO HO STAR was a reasonable one, in the opinion of the Stewards, he would have been better suited by shifting to the outside on straightening to provide STAR CLUB with clear running sooner than what it was able to obtain. After the race, Z Purton (SPEEDY SMARTIE), which was inclined to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event, reported that his mount hung in throughout the race and gave ground when placed under pressure in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY SMARTIE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SPEEDY SMARTIE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY SMARTIE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUNLIGHT POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNLIGHT POWER, SPEEDY FORTUNE and DREAM PURSUER were sent for sampling.