RACE 8 (721)

Tracked the pace early stages before drifting back to race in midfield, fought hard passing 400M, drew alongside leader nearing 100M, got up late to complete the Triple Crown after a thrilling finish.

Incident Report
J McDonald was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 200 Metres (see DEEP MONSTER). Sent for sampling post-race.

Raced keenly just off the pace, moved up to vie for lead from 800M, hard driven to gain narrow lead mid-straight, dug deep but couldn't hold off ROMANTIC WARRIOR in final stages.

Incident Report
K C Leung stated that the instructions were to endeavour to find cover behind the expected leader ROMANTIC THOR. Trainer F C Lor confirmed the instructions and stated that he issued those instructions to attempt to have the horse run out a strong 2400 Metres. He added NUMBERS raced too keenly and as a result was unable to obtain cover. Sent for sampling post-race.

Raced in the 3rd spot travelled keenly early and middle stages, placed under pressure 550M, was finishing off the race well when checked by eventual winner mid-straight and lost his chance. Had to settle for 3rd.

Incident Report
Throughout the early and middle stages raced keenly. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the opinion that an incident occurred for some distance approaching the 200 Metres which cast doubt on whether ROMANTIC WARRIOR (J McDonald) should be declared the winner due to interference suffered by DEEP MONSTER. When Jockey Moreira and the connections of DEEP MONSTER did not lodge a protest/objection and the Stewards were satisfied, having regard to the 2 lengths margin between ROMANTIC WARRIOR and DEEP MONSTER, that there were not sufficient grounds to do so, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, J McDonald was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he directed his mount in when not clear of DEEP MONSTER, resulting in DEEP MONSTER being taken from its rightful running, further resulting in DEEP MONSTER being checked to avoid NUMBERS near the 200 Metres, causing DEEP MONSTER to shift out and make heavy contact with ROMANTIC WARRIOR. J McDonald was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 and to expire on Thursday, 11 June 2026 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey McDonald was fined $120,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 2.

Set slow pace first half of the race, was taken on by rival from 800M, battled hard on straightening, lost lead nearing 200M and weakened late stages. Held on for 4th just.

Incident Report
No report.

Given a waiting ride 8L towards the rear of the field, pressed along 550M, stayed on mildly in the run home for 5th without threatening first three.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped only fairly, settled down behind midfield 6Ls away, responded just fairly in the straight. Never able to challenge leaders.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly.

Dropped back to race at the back of the field 10Ls off leader on settling, made limited progress on straightening and was never in the picture.

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Raced in second half of the field 7Ls off leader, under pressure to keep up rounding home turn, failed to get involved in the finish.

Incident Report
No report.

Settled towards the rear 8Ls off the pace, had some work to do 400M but failed to run on. (Jockey - didn't run out a strong 2400M and after the event was feeling the effects of a hard run.)

Incident Report
C Williams stated that his mount did not run out a strong 2400 Metres and after the event was feeling the effects of a hard run. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.