RACE 7 (199)

Moderately away, raced behind midfield on the inside, angled out approaching 400M, slightly hampered 350M, very wide into straight, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they observed an incident had occurred approaching the 50 Metres when LOVERO was bumped and taken in by SUPER UNICORN (Z Purton) which placed doubt as to whether SUPER UNICORN should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently Y L Chung, rider of LOVERO, second placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against SUPER UNICORN being declared the winner alleging interference over the concluding stages of the event. After considering the evidence, the Stewards found that near the 50 Metres SUPER UNICORN shifted in and made contact with LOVERO, taking that horse in and resulting in LOVERO losing momentum during that incident. As the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had that interference not occurred LOVERO would have finished in advance of SUPER UNICORN, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No. 4, LOVERO, 1st; No. 12, SUPER UNICORN, 2nd; No. 6, ROMANTIC LAOS, 3rd; and No. 8, I CAN, 4th. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care and that he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts. When questioned regarding the improved performance, Trainer A S Cruz stated that the horse benefited from its first up performance on 11 September 2024 and had pleased him in a barrier trial at Conghua on 25 October 2024 and this was the principal reason for the horse’s improved performance tonight. Sent for sampling post-race.

Away with them, raced 3 wide with cover in midfield, commenced move 450M, made little progress early in straight, no extra final 200M.

Incident Report
Shifted in near the 50 Metres and bumped with LOVERO. Relegated to second on protest/objection (see LOVERO). Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped only fairly, raced 2 wide slightly better than midfield, commenced move after passing 400M, took the lead 200M, kept on well to the line and scored. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Leaving the 1500 Metres was checked when crowded by SUPER UNICORN which, after shifting in despite the efforts of its rider Z Purton, then raced tight to the inside of SOLEIL FIGHTER (M F Poon) which shifted in. M F Poon was reprimanded. Approaching the 250 Metres was bumped and taken out by I CAN.

Began awkwardly, raced 2 wide behind midfield, a bit closer on turn, made some progress early in straight, peaked 150M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
For some distance near the 250 Metres was shifted out to obtain clear running and made contact with ROMANTIC LAOS.

Began well from gate 1, raced prominently on the inside, took the lead 1250M, headed 1150M, positioned 2 lengths behind the leader in the middle stages, showed limited response early in straight, hampered 150M, eased thereafter.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly and from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Slowly away, raced towards rear on the inside, 2 wide from 850M, angled out 350M, very wide into straight, finished off very strongly to take 2nd, nearest on line.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced. Approaching the 1500 Metres was steadied to obtain cover behind ROMANTIC LAOS when racing tight to the inside of SUPER UNICORN.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced towards rear on the outside, 5 lengths back on turn, very wide into straight, finished off well to make frame without threatening.

Incident Report
After the event, M F Poon stated that he was obliged to make use of his mount in the early stages to cross runners to his inside and as a result SOLEIL FIGHTER was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Made contact at start, raced prominently, 3 wide, took the lead 1150M, led by a length in the middle stages, peaked early in straight, headed 200M, weakened gradually final 150M.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was checked when crowded between SILO and LOVERO which shifted out.

Began well, raced better than midfield on the inside early, dropped to midfield after passing 1000M, saved ground on turn, made some progress early in straight, peaked 150M, weakened gradually close home. (Blood in trachea.)

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped well, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, a length back turning in, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually final 150M.

Incident Report
No report.

Shifted in at start and made contact, raced better than midfield on the outside, no cover throughout, unable to maintain position from 500M, eased early in straight.

Incident Report
Near the 250 Metres was steadied to avoid ROMANTIC LAOS when that runner was taken out by I CAN (A Badel) which shifted out when not quite clear. A Badel was advised to exercise more care. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced at tail, saved ground on turn, made good progress in straight to take a place, no threat to the first two.

Incident Report
After the event, Apprentice E C W Wong reported that from a wide barrier he was obliged to make use of his mount in the early stages to lead. He said as a result HELENE WARRIOR was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.