Race:1 (75) LUARD HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1800 m

MURRAY’S PARTNERS was slow to begin.
WINNING VOLATILITY shifted out at the start and inconvenienced DIONYSUS COLLIN which was then steadied a short distance after the start when crowded for room between WINNING VOLATILITY and VICTORIOUS SEEKER.
Near the 1700 Metres, WINNING VOLATILITY raced in restricted room between VICTORIOUS SEEKER and SAVVY KINGMAN which shifted out.
JOY MASTER was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.
SAVVY KINGMAN travelled keenly in the lead in the early and middle stages.
Passing the 1300 Metres, VICTORIOUS SEEKER shifted in and bumped DIONYSUS COLLIN.
Passing the 200 Metres, MURRAY’S PARTNERS shifted out and bumped VICTORIOUS SEEKER, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. MURRAY’S PARTNERS then raced in restricted room after the 200 Metres between VICTORIOUS SEEKER and JOY MASTER which was bumped and taken wider by DIONYSUS COLLIN (H N Wong) which shifted out. JOY MASTER was then steadied away from the heels of DIONYSUS COLLIN passing the 150 Metres. H N Wong was reprimanded and told that in future he must exercise more care than he did on this occasion when shifting ground.
Over the concluding stages, RED ELYSEES raced tight inside the heels of METHANE (L Ferraris) which shifted in under pressure. L Ferraris was advised to exercise more care in future.
A veterinary inspection of JOY MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SAVVY KINGMAN and METHANE were sent for sampling.

Race:2 (76) O'BRIEN HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 5 1650 m

M M JOHNNY and THIS IS CHARISMA bumped shortly after the start.
SUPER KIN shifted out on jumping and bumped MANY GAINS. After this, both SUPER KIN and MANY GAINS were steadied to obtain cover.
From the outside barriers, SPARKLING STAR and SHINEALOT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
PRIME STAR was also steadied on jumping to obtain cover.
Near the 1500 Metres, as SEIZE THE SPIRIT (J Moreira) was being shifted across to obtain cover behind SMART HUNTER, SMART HUNTER was steadied which resulted in SEIZE THE SPIRIT clipping the heels of that horse and stumbling. When questioned, J Moreira stated that after being hampered as a result of striking the heels of SMART HUNTER, he commenced to shift his mount across towards the rail and believed that he would obtain a position one horse off the rail as he anticipated that M M JOHNNY would shift across to race behind ANONYMA. He said as he was shifting SEIZE THE SPIRIT across, he believed that he may have obtained the position one horse off the rail behind SMART HUNTER, however, at the winning post on the first occasion became aware that M M JOHNNY was still racing between SEIZE THE SPIRIT and ANONYMA. He said SEIZE THE SPIRIT became unbalanced after bumping with M M JOHNNY passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said as he was of the opinion that to continue to maintain what he considered to be the position one horse off the rail, having regard to the positioning of M M JOHNNY between SEIZE THE SPIRIT and ANONYMA, he believed that to continue to attempt to maintain this position would result in interference to M M JOHNNY and as he was not able to properly establish whether he would have been responsible for this interference by maintaining his position, he elected to shift SEIZE THE SPIRIT out marginally to ensure that M M JOHNNY had adequate racing room. He said this resulted in SEIZE THE SPIRIT being left racing three wide and without cover passing the 1200 Metres. He added, in his opinion, SEIZE THE SPIRIT’s failure to finish off the race was as a result of the horse having struck heels earlier in the race and having to race wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of SEIZE THE SPIRIT, which weakened over the latter stages, immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a cut to the right front fetlock.
After the 1200 Metres, SMART HUNTER got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover behind HAPPY JAI JAI. M M JOHNNY, which was following SMART HUNTER, was awkwardly placed behind that horse in consequence. THIS IS CHARISMA in turn raced close to the heels of M M JOHNNY at the same point.
Passing the 900 Metres, THIS IS CHARISMA, which was travelling keenly, was steadied away from the heels of M M JOHNNY.
At the entrance to the Straight, SUPER KIN was shifted out away from the heels of SEIZE THE SPIRIT which made the Home Turn awkwardly.
After the 150 Metres, MANY GAINS was steadied away from the heels of SEIZE THE SPIRIT when disappointed for running between that horse which was commencing to give ground and SUPER KIN.
Approaching the 150 Metres, SPARKLING STAR was shifted out across the heels of ANONYMA after being disappointed for running inside that horse. When being shifted out, SPARKLING STAR and PRIME STAR brushed.
SHINEALOT was held up for clear running approaching and passing the 150 Metres. SHINEALOT then had difficulty obtaining clear running over the concluding stages. As such, SHINEALOT was not able to be fully tested in the Straight.
A veterinary inspection of PRIME STAR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PRIME STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
A veterinary inspection of SUPER KIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
ON EXCEL STAR and HAPPY JAI JAI were sent for sampling.
<7/10/2021 Additional Veterinary Reports>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that M M JOHNNY was found to be lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, M M JOHNNY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Race:3 (77) JAFFE HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1000 m

THETA HEDGE and EUROMISSILE bumped at the start. THETA HEDGE was then crowded for room between EUROMISSILE and PACKING CHAMPION which shifted out abruptly. This resulted in EUROMISSILE becoming unbalanced when bumped by THETA HEDGE and for a short distance racing tight inside the heels of NOIR RIDER.
FARIBAULT began only fairly and then was crowded for room on jumping between GOODMANSHIP and HAPPY GOOD GUYS which shifted in.
ALLEZ began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along in the early and middle stages failed to muster speed.
Near the 950 Metres, MY MY MY was awkwardly placed outside HAPPY TANGO which got its head on the side and shifted out.
After laying out making the turn after the 600 Metres, TEAM GOODLUCK continued to lay out making the turns. TRONIC MIGHTY, which was racing outside TEAM GOODLUCK, was inconvenienced when taken wider by that horse.
PACKING CHAMPION made the turn near the 550 Metres very awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of HAPPY TANGO.
After the race, K Teetan stated that from the wide barrier it was felt that FARIBAULT’s best opportunity to finish off the race would be for the horse to be shifted across behind runners rather than being ridden along to obtain a forward position. He said at its last start last season when successful, FARIBAULT was able to obtain a forward position having drawn barrier 2, but it was believed that with the speed in tonight’s race, FARIBAULT would not be able to obtain a similar position without having a lot of use made of it in the early stages. He said if FARIBAULT began well, it had been hoped that the horse may be able to obtain a position in about midfield, however, after being hampered at the start, this resulted in FARIBAULT having to race further back in the field. He said approaching the 600 Metres FARIBAULT commenced to travel keenly and he had to shift out away from the heels of TEAM GOODLUCK. He added after improving to be racing just outside the heels of that horse, FARIBAULT was hampered when TEAM GOODLUCK lay out. He said he then switched FARIBAULT to the inside of that horse and improved inside TEAM GOODLUCK rounding the Home Turn, however, over the concluding stages FARIBAULT finished off the race fairly. A veterinary inspection of FARIBAULT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of PACKING CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
NOIR RIDER and HAPPY TANGO were sent for sampling.

Race:4 (78) HARBOUR HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1800 m

YOO YOO KING shifted out at the start and bumped WORLD FAMOUS. YOO YOO KING was then bumped a short distance after the start by BUNDLE OF DELIGHT which was also bumped by DYNAMIC EAGLE which shifted out.
DYNAMIC EAGLE, BUNDLE OF DELIGHT and YOO YOO KING were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
Approaching the 400 Metres, YOO YOO KING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPERBELLA when being directed to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running.
DYNAMIC EAGLE was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn.
Near the 250 Metres, BLASTOISE raced tight between WEALTHY DELIGHT and WORLD FAMOUS, both of which shifted a minimal amount of ground.
Passing the 150 Metres, ARTHUR’S KINGDOM was bumped by STIMULATION which was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DYNAMIC EAGLE which shifted out to obtain clear running.
At the 100 Metres, YOO YOO KING went badly amiss, resulting in K Teetan, its rider, being dislodged. SUPERBELLA, which was following YOO YOO KING, was severely checked in an attempt to avoid that horse. BUNDLE OF DELIGHT was also shifted in abruptly to avoid YOO YOO KING. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that YOO YOO KING had sustained an injury to the left front leg. As a result of being dislodged from YOO YOO KING, K Teetan was transported to hospital.
Passing the 50 Metres, BLASTOISE and WEALTHY DELIGHT raced tight and brushed as a result of BLASTOISE shifting out marginally.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPERBELLA, J Moreira stated that, in his opinion, the circumstances of tonight’s race did not provide SUPERBELLA with the opportunity to finish off the race as strongly as it had recently. He said SUPERBELLA travelled keenly in the early and middle stages and passing the winning post on the first occasion became unbalanced after getting its head up when being checked away from the heels of ARTHUR’S KINGDOM. He said SUPERBELLA would not relax when racing behind ARTHUR’S KINGDOM and approaching the 900 Metres shifted out away from the heels of that horse as a result of being awkwardly placed behind ARTHUR’S KINGDOM. He said as SUPERBELLA was then left racing wide and without cover, he commenced to improve his position as the tempo of the race in the middle stages was only fair. He said when improving, SUPERBELLA was taken wider again by WEALTHY DELIGHT which shifted out which resulted in SUPERBELLA having to travel wide and without cover over the final 900 Metres. He added because of the tough run which SUPERBELLA had experienced, the horse came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and was already a beaten horse when severely checked near the 100 Metres. He said whilst SUPERBELLA was not able to finish off the race in the Straight, he believed that there were a number of circumstances which resulted in this being the case. A veterinary inspection of SUPERBELLA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of TURIN REDSTAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
DYNAMIC EAGLE and BLASTOISE were sent for sampling. Samples were also taken from YOO YOO KING.

Race:5 (79) JOHNSTON HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1200 m

NORDIC WARRIOR and DESTIN were slow to begin. Then from the outside barrier, DESTIN was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
From a wide barrier, COURAGEOUS DRAGON was also steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail.
DIVINE ERA began awkwardly and then was bumped by AURORA PEGASUS which shifted out.
YEE CHEONG WARRIOR began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of GOOD SHOT.
Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, JADE THEATRE was slow to muster speed and after being inconvenienced by WINMORE STAR approaching the 1100 Metres was steadied to obtain cover when racing very wide.
Near the 850 Metres, WINMORE STAR raced greenly, got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly, resulting in A SMILE LIKE YOURS being hampered when bumped by WINMORE STAR.
DIVINE ERA had some difficulty obtaining clear running after the 150 Metres and raced tight inside HAPPY TIME passing the 50 Metres when improving into restricted room between that horse and FLAMING PASSION.
At the 100 Metres, WINMORE STAR was steadied away from the heels of DESTIN (M L Yeung) which shifted out when not properly clear. M L Yeung was reprimanded and told he must ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances.
After the 100 Metres, AURORA PEGASUS was shifted in away from the heels of GOOD SHOT.
Close to the finishing line, DIVINE ERA raced tight outside the hindquarters of FLAMING PASSION.
When questioned, M Chadwick stated that in pre-race discussions, it was noted by connections that there appeared to be a lack of genuine pace engaged in the race and as HAPPY TIME had previously raced well when ridden in a forward position, it was decided that if HAPPY TIME began well and the circumstances of the race in the early stages permitted, the horse should be ridden in a more forward position than it was at its last start when successful. He said it was felt that HAPPY TIME may be able to obtain a position behind the leaders which it was envisaged may be FLAMING PASSION, GOOD SHOT and A SMILE LIKE YOURS. He said after beginning well he rode his mount positively in the early stages to obtain a forward position and at the 1100 Metres he felt as though A SMILE LIKE YOURS was being ridden to cross GOOD SHOT to its inside. He said he therefore commenced to steady HAPPY TIME with a view to taking a trailing position behind A SMILE LIKE YOURS, however, after the 1100 Metres A SMILE LIKE YOURS was steadied to obtain a trailing positon behind GOOD SHOT and as he believed at this stage to obtain a forward position he was left with no option other than to allow HAPPY TIME to improve its position forward of GOOD SHOT and to race outside the lead after the 900 Metres. He said HAPPY TIME travelled satisfactorily in the middle stages, however, after coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn finished off the race only fairly over the latter stages. He added, based on the manner in which the horse did not finish off the race as well as last start, he was of the opinion that HAPPY TIME may be best suited when able to obtain cover. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY TIME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of WINMORE STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
GOOD SHOT, A SMILE LIKE YOURS and YEE CHEONG WARRIOR were sent for sampling.

Race:6 (80) LOCKHART HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 4 1650 m

AGILITY STAR began awkwardly.
KING DRAGON was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.
From the outside barrier, SHADOW BREAKER was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.
Passing the winning post on the first occasion, YOUNG THUNDER and SMART WONGCHOY raced tight.
Passing the 1200 Metres, SMART WONGCHOY shifted in and bumped YOUNG THUNDER.
At the 1100 Metres, PEARL CHAMPION was left racing wide and without cover.
Rounding the Home Turn, NUNCHUKS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FAITHFUL TRINITY when being shifted to the outside of that horse to improve.
At the entrance to the Straight, CHARIZARD was shifted in away from the heels of ERNEST FEEING to obtain clear running.
After the race, Z Purton reported that after beginning well, CHATER PINS was able to obtain a position behind the speed in the early stages which was further forward than had been expected. He said CHATER PINS travelled too keenly throughout the early and middle stages when the race was being run at a good tempo. He said because of CHATER PINS’ failure to relax, the horse was then not able to finish off the race after coming under heavy pressure prior to the 400 Metres. A veterinary inspection of CHATER PINS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
When questioned, A Badel stated that SMART WONGCHOY is well-known to him and which had previously hung in in a number of its races. He said because of this racing trait he was instructed to take up a forward position on SMART WONGCHOY as is usual and attempt to find the rail at the earliest opportunity. He said after riding SMART WONGCHOY positively in the early stages, the horse did not show as much early speed as anticipated and this resulted in SMART WONGCHOY taking some time to be able to follow YOUNG THUNDER across after that horse cleared runners to its inside. He said whilst in ordinary circumstances he would have remained racing outside YOUNG THUNDER passing the 1200 Metres, given the amount of use that he had had to make on SMART WONGCHOY, the good tempo of the race in the early stages, the horse’s history of hanging in and his instruction to find the rail, he elected to allow SMART WONGCHOY to gradually improve its position forward of YOUNG THUNDER and obtain the rail after the 1000 Metres. He said SMART WONGCHOY travelled only fairly in the middle stages before coming under pressure prior to the Home Turn. He said SMART WONGCHOY gave him only a limited response when ridden along in the early part of the Straight, however, again came under pressure after the 300 Metres and then gave ground over the concluding stages which he attributed to the amount of use that he had to make of SMART WONGCHOY in a race which was run at a good tempo in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of SMART WONGCHOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
After the race, J Moreira said that the pace of the race in the early and middle stages did not allow FAITHFUL TRINITY the opportunity to relax and finish off the race. He said FAITHFUL TRINITY came under heavy pressure at the 400 Metres and then did not close off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of FAITHFUL TRINITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
SHADOW BREAKER and ERNEST FEELING were sent for sampling.

Race:7 (81) JOHNSTON HANDICAP (Sec2) Class 4 1200 m

On arrival at the Start, J Moreira expressed concern regarding the action of LITTLE THUNDER. An examination of LITTLE THUNDER by the Veterinary Officer found that horse to be lame in the right front leg and as such was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, LITTLE THUNDER was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, LITTLE THUNDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
SPICY GRILL shifted out on jumping and bumped the hindquarters of HERE COMES TED. After this, SPICY GRILL and HERE COMES TED, from wide barriers, were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.
After the 800 Metres, ALL YOU KNOW got its head on the side and lay in away from GREAT HARVEST.
XPONENTIAL travelled wide and without cover until near the 700 Metres.
ALL YOU KNOW made the turn near the 550 Metres awkwardly when racing close to the heels of SIGHT HERO. MUDITA, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of ALL YOU KNOW in consequence, resulting in HERE COMES TED being taken wider.
SPICY GRILL was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE WINNER after the 500 Metres.
H Bentley (SIGHT HERO) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure which resulted in SIGHT HERO shifting in and bumping MELBOURNE HALL, causing MELBOURNE HALL to become badly hampered when crowded for room outside the heels of XPONENTIAL approaching the 100 Metres. In the circumstances, H Bentley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 27 October 2021 and to expire on Monday, 1 November 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In this incident, SPLIT OF A SECOND was shifted in away from the heels of MELBOURNE HALL in consequence.
When questioned, A Badel stated that he was instructed to ride GREAT HARVEST positively from the outside barrier and attempt to obtain the lead if possible. He said he was instructed that if the pace of the race was particularly strong in the early stages, it was available to him to obtain cover on GREAT HARVEST as the horse had previously been successful when ridden off the speed. He said GREAT HARVEST began very well and he immediately rode his mount along in an endeavour to clear runners to his inside. He said passing the 1100 Metres there were a number of horses being ridden to obtain a forward position from inside barriers and he believed that he would have had to do too much work in an attempt to cross those horses and obtain the lead. He said he therefore elected passing the 1100 Metres to steady his mount and obtain cover. He said he had hoped that ALL YOU KNOW would shift in to race on the rail behind SPLIT OF A SECOND which would have provided GREAT HARVEST the opportunity to race one horse off the rail behind the eventual winner SIGHT HERO. He said however that when ALL YOU KNOW maintained its position one horse off the rail, this resulted in GREAT HARVEST being left racing wide and without cover near the 700 Metres.
A veterinary inspection of SPICY GRILL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
FORTUNE CARRIER, SIGHT HERO and XPONENTIAL were sent for sampling.

Race:8 (82) GLOUCESTER HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 3 1200 m

On arrival at the Start, A Badel expressed concern regarding the action of JOLLY GOOD HEART. JOLLY GOOD HEART was examined by the Veterinary Officer who, after the necessary consultations, said the horse was suitable to race.
JOLLY GOOD HEART lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly.
RHAPSODY began only fairly and then when being steadied to obtain cover in the early stages was steadied away from the heels of KINDA COOL after travelling a short distance which was taken out by WINNING METHOD.
NEARLY FINE shifted out at the start, resulting in AMARA WIN becoming unbalanced and then being crowded for room inside SMILING CITY. This resulted in AMARA WIN losing ground. AMARA WIN was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier.
SMILING CITY lay out making the turn after the 1000 Metres and then after the 900 Metres was left racing wide and without cover.
After the 650 Metres, RHAPSODY commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind TRANSCENDENT.
Passing the 300 Metres, TRANSCENDENT got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOODLUCK GOODLUCK when being shifted out from behind that horse to obtain clear running.
After the 300 Metres, AMARA WIN was shifted to the outside of CLASSIC POSH after being disappointed for running between that horse and RHAPSODY.
Approaching the 200 Metres, TRANSCENDENT and WINNING METHOD bumped.
RHAPSODY was held up for clear running from approaching the 150 Metres until passing the 100 Metres.
After the race, L Ferraris reported that SPONTANEOUS would not relax outside the lead and, in his opinion, this accounted for the horse’s failure to be able to close off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SPONTANEOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
A veterinary inspection of SMILING CITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
TRANSCENDENT and WINNING METHOD were sent for sampling.

Race:9 (83) FLEMING HANDICAP (Sec1) Class 2 1650 m

GREEN LUCK was withdrawn on 5.10.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BEAUTY FIT (M L Yeung).
BEAUTY FIT began awkwardly.
HELENE WISDOM STAR and SUNSHINE WARRIOR began only fairly and were then shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.
From a wide barrier, SAVVY NINE was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover.
Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, RATTAN shifted in and bumped BEAUTY FIT.
Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, SAVAQUIN got its head on the side and lay out.
Passing the 800 Metres, RELIABLE TEAM was momentarily crowded for room between HIGHLAND FORTUNE and HELENE WISDOM STAR which shifted in.
Approaching the 600 Metres, KILINDINI raced close to the heels of SOLAR WAI WAI.
Near the 450 Metres, SUNSHINE WARRIOR was steadied away from the heels of HIGHLAND FORTUNE when attempting to improve to the inside of that horse where there was insufficient room.
Passing the 300 Metres, KILINDINI and SOLAR WAI WAI bumped as KILINDINI commenced to shift to the outside of HELENE WISDOM STAR to obtain clear running. Then near the 250 Metres, KILINDINI shifted out away from the heels of HELENE WISDOM STAR and again bumped SOLAR WAI WAI.
Throughout the race, HIGHLAND FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover.
When questioned, B Shinn stated that from the outside barrier he was asked to ride NOT USUAL TALENT quietly in the early stages and attempt to improve his position in the middle stages. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was strong and despite him niggling NOT USUAL TALENT along approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion the horse became detached from the remainder of the field. He said when the race continued to be run at a good tempo in the middle stages. NOT USUAL TALENT was off the bridle and was not able to improve. He said it was not until the 500 Metres that NOT USUAL TALENT commenced to respond to his riding and improve its position. He said after the 500 Metres the runners he was following were not travelling sufficiently well enough to be able to take NOT USUAL TALENT into the race, therefore he shifted his mount out rounding the Home Turn to position NOT USUAL TALENT to the outside of RELIABLE TEAM. He added that after obtaining clear running to the outside of runners in the early part of the Straight, NOT USUAL TALENT then finished off the race satisfactorily.
When questioned, A Badel stated that he was instructed to be as forward as possible in the early stages on HELENE WISDOM STAR. He said he was told that if he was not able to obtain a forward position after the start, he should take the opportunity to shift HELENE WISDOM STAR out and improve his position at the earliest available opportunity as the horse is one-paced and is better suited when not held up for a final run. He said the tempo of the race in the early stages was strong and because of this HELENE WISDOM STAR was required to race back in the field. He said he felt that passing the 1000 Metres the tempo of the race slackened marginally and given his instructions he elected to shift HELENE WISDOM STAR out and commenced to improve his position passing the 900 Metres. He said when he did this RELIABLE TEAM, which he had been following, was also shifted out to improve its position which resulted in him having to make more use of HELENE WISDOM STAR than he had hoped to clear that horse.
When questioned, K C Leung stated that it was felt that from a wide barrier RELIABLE TEAM would not be able to lead and therefore he should shift his mount across in the early stages and take up a forward position behind the leaders if possible. He said after being able to obtain a trailing position behind HIGHLAND FORTUNE after passing the winning post on the first occasion, RELIABLE TEAM continued to follow that horse after the 1200 Metres. He said the pace of the race in the early stages was strong, however, he was of the opinion that the pace of the race did commence to slacken near the 1200 Metres and when he became aware that HELENE WISDOM STAR was commencing to improve its position around RELIABLE TEAM, he did not believe it would be in the best interests of his mount to allow that horse to improve forward of RELIABLE TEAM as RELIABLE TEAM is one-paced which would not be suited by having to be quickened at a later stage of the race. He said when he was aware that HELENE WISDOM STAR was improving its position, he attempted to shift RELIABLE TEAM to the outside of HIGHLAND FORTUNE and commenced to improve his position, however, RELIABLE TEAM was not able to quicken as well as HELENE WISDOM STAR and after this was left racing wide and without cover in about a midfield position. A veterinary inspection of RELIABLE TEAM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.
TELECOM FIGHTERS and SUNSHINE WARRIOR were sent for sampling.