RACE 4 (740)

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Began well, positioned 1-1/2L behind the leader on the inside, travelled keenly after passing 800M, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened final 150M.

Incident Report
On jumping was bumped by BRAVE WITNESS which shifted out. Sent for sampling post-race. <11/6/2025 8 June 2025 Sha Tin Racemeeting – Race 4 (740)> The Stewards tonight questioned A Badel in relation to the tactics he adopted in the middle stages of the event when the winner PING HAI COMET was able to shift out and improve into the race near the 600 Metres. A Badel stated that ETALON OR settled closer than intended and raced keenly during the early and middle stages of the event. He said from the 700 Metres his mount came under pressure and when EVERYONE’S CLASSIC then improved forward and shifted out, he lost the position behind that horse. He added as a result PING HAI COMET was able to shift out near the 600 Metres and he felt at that stage his best option was to follow PING HAI COMET into the race as it was travelling strongly. The Stewards noted the explanation provided by Jockey Badel.

Incident Report
Between the 550 Metres and the 450 Metres was held up for clear running behind ACE WAR when that runner commenced to give ground.

Taken back from gate 12, raced at rear on the outside, 6 lengths or so back, very wide into straight, made some headway in the run home.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced 2 wide at rear, 5 lengths or so back turning in, no clear run early in straight, cleared approaching 200M, made some progress thereafter.

Incident Report
Shifted out at the start and was bumped.

Bumped start, raced better than midfield on outer, 2 lengths or so back, there to turn, finished off well to take 2nd without threatening the winner.

Incident Report
No report.

Average to begin, positioned 2-1/2L behind the leader on the inside, checked near 700M, 2 wide from 650M, angled out early in straight, closed off well to take a place.

Incident Report
When questioned regarding his riding from the 600 Metres and if there was an opportunity to improve to the outside of BRAVE WITNESS, K De Melo stated that he was given no specific instructions other than to settle where comfortable and give the horse a chance to run on in the Home Straight. He said after following BRAVE WITNESS from the 600 Metres he was reluctant to improve to that runner’s outside as he felt it was too soon to do so as CARRYON SMILING races best when held up for a late run in the Home Straight. He added that when BRIGHT INHERITANCE improved to his outside near the 500 Metres this then resulted in CARRYON SMILING being held up for clear running between the 450 Metres and the 400 Metres. He said after the 400 Metres he then looked to improve to the inside of EVERYONE’S CLASSIC but when CARRYON SMILING did not respond to his riding and EVERYONE’S CLASSIC shifted in near the 300 Metres he was then obliged to ease and shift to the outside of EVERYONE’S CLASSIC to continue into clear running. After considering his evidence Jockey De Melo agreed with the Stewards that in retrospect he should have shifted to the outside of BRAVE WITNESS approaching the 500 Metres to provide his mount with a clear opportunity to improve into the race sooner than he was able to.

Fractious in the starting gates and jumped awkwardly, positioned 3 to 4 lengths behind the leader on rail, saved ground throughout, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
No report.

Out with rest, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, commenced move 600M, 3-1/2L back turning in, showed limited response early in straight, kept on same pace to the line. (Wound to left hind leg) (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Soon after the start shifted out and made contact with HAPPY UNIVERSE. Shortly after then became unbalanced when racing tight between ACE WAR and HAPPY UNIVERSE which shifted in. After the event M L Yeung stated that he was obliged to make use of his mount in the early stages to go forward from a wide barrier and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Jumped well from a wide draw, raced prominently, 2 wide, a length back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened final 300M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. After the event J Orman confirmed that he was instructed to hold a more forward position if possible. He said in the early and middle stages TIMES TABLE was reluctant to improve to the inside of other runners. He said after being held up for clear running near the 400 Metres when being steadied to avoid PEARL OF PANG’S, TIMES TABLE finished the race off only fairly. He added that near the 100 Metres TIMES TABLE again was reluctant to improve between MATSU VICTOR and CALIFORNIA SUN and in this incident made contact with CALIFORNIA SUN when TIMES TABLE shifted out slightly. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped start, read behind midfield on outer, 5 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, made some progress in straight. (Rider dropped whip near 250M.)

Incident Report
Leaving the 50 Metres made contact with TIMES TABLE which shifted out. After the event M Chadwick reported that his whip was knocked from his grasp by the whip of K Teetan, the rider of PEARL OF PANG’S, near the 300 Metres. After the event M Chadwick reported that the intention was to hold a more forward position but after his mount jumped only fairly and then shifted in and was eased to avoid ETALON OR, it did not show sufficient pace to do so. He added in the Home Straight CALIFORNIA SUN finished the race off in a one-paced manner. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Clean jump, sent forward to take the lead, travelled comfortably to turn, kept on very well in straight, won by 1-1/4L.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide slightly better than midfield, wider turning in, failed to close off in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.

Taken back from gate 9, raced towards rear on the inside, 4 to 5 lengths back turning in, made some progress in straight.

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, ACE WAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.