RACE 3 (556)

Began only fairly, raced slightly better than midfield on the inside, 2 wide turning in, no clear run early in straight, cleared 150M but made no progress thereafter.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Taken back from gate 12, raced towards rear on the outside, 5 lengths back turning in, one-paced in the run home. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start. M F Poon pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see DOUBLE WIN). Sent for sampling post-race.

Began only fairly and made contact, raced in 3rd, saved ground throughout, kept on well early in straight, peaked 100M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly and then shortly after the start was crowded between VOLCANIC SPARK and FORTUNE KINGO which shifted out.

Jumped awkwardly, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, showed very good response in straight, took the lead approaching 150M, kept on very well to the line, easily scored. (Lost left hind plate.)

Incident Report
Shortly after the start became unbalanced when bumped by GREY CHARGER which jumped awkwardly and shifted in.

Began only fairly, raced 2 wide behind midfield, moved a bit closer after passing 900M, 4 wide turning in, made good progress in straight to take 2nd, no threat to the winner.

Incident Report
Prior to declaring weighed-in Trainer K L Man and Jockey C Y Ho viewed the Stewards’ patrol films to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection against VOLCANIC SPARK (M F Poon) being declared the second placegetter. When connections declined to lodge a protest/objection and the Stewards were satisfied there were not sufficient grounds having regard to the 1 ½ length margin between the two horses at the finish of the race, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry M F Poon pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out whilst riding it along when insufficiently clear of DOUBLE WIN, resulting in DOUBLE WIN being taken from its rightful running and having to be restrained to avoid the heels of VOLCANIC SPARK. M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 12 April 2026 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record.

Average to begin, raced 2 wide in midfield, 3 lengths or so back, 3 wide turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened gradually inside final furlong.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 250 Metres made contact with STORM RUNNER when improving to the outside of AGENDA.

Taken back from gate 14, raced behind midfield on the outside, moved closer after passing 900M, 2 to 3 lengths back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
No report.

Slightly slow out and crowded, raced towards rear on the inside, angled out after passing 700M, 5 lengths back turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
M Chadwick was spoken to in relation to using his whip on a horse which was out of contention. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Jumped well from a wide draw, taken back to race 2 wide behind midfield, 4-1/2L back turning in, failed to close off in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 1500 Metres was contacted by STORM RUNNER when STORM RUNNER (A Atzeni) shifted to the outside of GREY CHARGER. As a result SUPREME MASTERMIND was hampered and taken wider. A Atzeni was advised to exercise more care. L Ferraris reported that after this incident his mount did not travel well during the race and gave ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, SUPREME MASTERMIND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Jumped awkwardly, raced at tail, still last turning in, taken wide in straight and finished off well to be nearest on line.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with AGENDA. R Kingscote stated that his mount failed to run out the 2000 Metres of today’s race. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Commenced well, raced better than midfield on the outside, 2 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually final 100M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Began well, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, there to turn, kept on well early in straight, peaked 200M, weakened gradually final 100M.

Incident Report
Near the 250 Metres became unbalanced when it made contact with SERANGOON due to both runners shifting ground. When questioned regarding his riding in the early stages and the reason he made a forward move from the 1500 Metres when the early stages of the event were being run inside of standard time A Atzeni stated that he was given the instructions to go forward and as the race appeared to lack pace he was also given the option of leading if circumstances permitted. He said after being crossed by FORTUNE KINGO and GREY CHARGER in the early stages he held a position behind those two runners. He said near the 1500 Metres he felt the pace eased, particularly when R Kingscote, rider of GREY CHARGER, restrained his mount. He said as a consequence this resulted in STORM RUNNER racing keenly at which point he elected to shift out near the 1500 Metres to go forward. He added that as he then continued forward to cross FORTUNE KINGO and GREY CHARGER those two runners held their position which resulted in him having to make more use of his mount along the Back Straight where he was able to cross GREY CHARGER near the 1200 Metres. He said due to the manner in which he was obliged to ride his mount in the middle stages to cross GREY CHARGER, STORM RUNNER was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. Trainer P C Ng confirmed the instructions issued. He stated that whilst his preference would have been for STORM RUNNER to maintain its position with cover near the 1500 Metres he accepted Jockey Atzeni’s explanation as to why he elected to shift out and start a forward move. After considering his explanation the Stewards advised Jockey Atzeni that, having regard to the early stages of the event being run inside of standard time, he made an error of judgement by not making more effort to remain racing behind GREY CHARGER to avoid having to make too much use of his mount to cross the early leaders. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of STORM RUNNER was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, STORM RUNNER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.