Multiple Incidents Mar Race Day, Veterinary Concerns Raised for Young Striker and Sonic Boom
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A series of incidents and subsequent veterinary concerns marked a recent race day, impacting several horses and prompting further assessment of their conditions. Officials reported a range of issues, from bumping and unbalanced horses to potential respiratory problems, requiring close monitoring and potential adjustments to future racing plans.
Jockey Hewitson Reports All-Weather Surface Challenges
Exceed The Wish (J480), ridden by L. Hewitson, experienced a challenging race, encountering interference near the 900-meter mark when steadied while being shifted in behind Sonic Boom. Further difficulties arose near the 300-meter mark, with the horse shifting out and making slight contact with Smart Engineer. Hewitson stated that his mount, in its first race on an All Weather surface, “would be better suited by racing at Happy Valley and dropping back in distance to 1000 Metres.” A post-race veterinary inspection revealed no significant findings.
Respiratory Condition Concerns for Young Striker
Young Striker (K029), piloted by D. Probert, faced significant disruption near the 200-meter mark. The horse lay in, making contact with Robot Knight and becoming unbalanced. Probert explained that he was instructed to allow the horse to stride forward, especially given the application of blinkers for the first time. However, a post-race veterinary inspection revealed a respiratory condition requiring further assessment, raising concerns about the horse’s immediate future racing schedule.
Bumping and Crowding Dominate Mid-Race Incidents
Several other horses were involved in incidents during the race. General Smart (K138), ridden by Z. Purton, jumped awkwardly and made contact with Excellent Daddy. Robot Knight (H464), with E.C.W. Wong aboard, bumped with Noble Deluxe near the 350-meter mark and became unbalanced when crowded between Macanese Master and Young Striker near the 200-meter mark. Noble Deluxe (K052) was also impacted, becoming unbalanced after being bumped and subsequently having to be steadied and shifted to the outside to find clear running.
Jockey Teetan’s Tactics Deemed Reasonable
Only U (J037), ridden by K. Teetan, experienced a complex race trajectory. Teetan explained that, despite instructions to race wide in the Home Straight, he opted to follow Sonic Boom in an attempt to improve position. This decision was influenced by the perceived difficulty of shifting outside Rich Horse for clear running. After considering Teetan’s explanation, the Stewards determined that the tactics employed were reasonable under the circumstances. Both Only U and Noble Deluxe were sent for post-race sampling.
Concerns Arise for Sonic Boom Following Race
Sonic Boom (H144), ridden by M. Guyon, “blundered on jumping” and was hampered near the 300-meter mark when Exceed The Wish shifted out, causing Smart Engineer to be taken onto Sonic Boom. Guyon reported concern over his mount’s condition in the concluding stages, noting a possible issue. While an immediate veterinary inspection didn’t reveal significant findings, Sonic Boom will undergo an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.
Additional Incidents and Warnings
Rich Horse (J191), ridden by J. Orman, was steadied near the 300-meter mark while crowded between Only U and Excellent Daddy. Orman received a warning regarding the use of his whip on a horse considered out of contention. Smart Engineer (K244) raced tight to the inside of Noble Deluxe, and Excellent Daddy (E321) was bumped by General Smart at the start. Macanese Master (J532) also jumped only fairly.
The race day highlighted the inherent risks of thoroughbred racing and the importance of thorough veterinary evaluations to ensure the well-being of the horses involved.
