01/01/2024  Shatin  Race 4

NORDIC COMBINED (G015): After the race, J McDonald stated that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event and this was the reason as to why NORDIC COMBINED weakened in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPANGLE FORTUNE (G427): No report. PERFECT PEACH (E488): After the race, K Teetan stated that after improving into the event in the early part of the Home Straight, his mount then lay in near the 150 Metres when STARSHIP EIGHTY improved to his outside and when being corrected, shifted out, resulting in him having to stop riding and straighten his mount. He added PERFECT PEACH then raced ungenerously to the finish of the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT PEACH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STARSHIP EIGHTY (H022): Sent for sampling post-race. APEX TOP (D136): Knuckled over on jumping. Near the 100 Metres was shifted to the outside of FIRE BALL after being unable to obtain clear running between FIRE BALL and BEAT HOLLOW. C L Chau pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see FOXHUNTER WAY). CASA LEGEND (G126): After the race, A Atzeni stated that after being slow to begin, his mount was reluctant to stretch out in the early stages. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on CASA LEGEND at the request of Trainer C W Chang. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, CASA LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPIHOOD (H261): Bumped on jumping. CHARMANDER (G437): Jumped only fairly and then was bumped shortly after the start. CHARMING STEED (E494): Near the 150 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when positioned behind NORDIC COMBINED which was giving ground. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BEAT HOLLOW (G414): No report. FIRE BALL (D087): Sent for sampling post-race. BROTHER PEARL (H030): Leaving the 800 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from FOXHUNTER WAY. Inside the 100 Metres was shifted to the outside of BEAT HOLLOW to secure clear running. FOXHUNTER WAY (E296): Leaving the 800 Metres was steadied away from APEX TOP. C L Chau (APEX TOP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he directed his mount out when insufficiently clear of FOXHUNTER WAY, resulting in FOXHUNTER WAY losing its rightful running and being checked. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 17 January 2024 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record. JUST GREAT TWO (G174): Jumped awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.