24/01/2024  Shatin  Race 3

VIVA HUNTER (E369): Despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position. Near the 1500 Metres was taken out by LEGION OF MERIT. On the Home Turn was held up for clear running and then had some difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 350 Metres. GOODBAN BANBANBANG (G432): Jumped awkwardly and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LUCKY BANNER (G354): Bumped on jumping. Sent for sampling post-race. H Bowman was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1500 Metres (see LEGION OF MERIT). MISSION BRAVO (E383): Slow to begin and then bumped with GOODBAN BANBANBANG. Near the 700 Metres was taken wider when NOBLE WIN shifted out to improve, resulting in MISSION BRAVO then racing very wide for the remainder of the event. Sent for sampling post-race. LUCKY CHEVALIERS (J094): Jumped only fairly. The performance of LUCKY CHEVALIERS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY CHEVALIERS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SMILING COLLECTOR (G128): Lay out in the early stages and raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. On the Home Turn lay out. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING SEVEN (J005): Jumped only fairly. Badly crowded near the 1500 Metres. THE CONCENTRATION (H465): Near the 1500 Metres was steadied away from VIVA HUNTER. LEGION OF MERIT (D419): H Bowman (LUCKY BANNER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1500 Metres he made insufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in, resulting in LEGION OF MERIT and WINNING SEVEN being badly crowded for room and LEGION OF MERIT also having to be checked when it lost its running. H Bowman was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Thursday, 15 February 2024 and to expire on Monday, 19 February 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 1 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his poor race riding record. In addition, Jockey Bowman was fined $30,000. Approaching the 500 Metres was shifted to the outside of SMILING COLLECTOR to attempt to improve but was unable to do so when held up between SMILING COLLECTOR which was laying out and NOBLE WIN, resulting in LEGION OF MERIT not obtaining clear running until near the 400 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NOBLE WIN (H195): After the 200 Metres shifted in and away from MISSION BRAVO and near the 150 Metres was eased from the heels of that runner. FORTUNE PRESIDENT (G054): No report. G LINER (H072): Bumped on jumping. Sent for sampling post-race. KASI FARASI (B385): No report. YOUNG HORIZON (G272): Jumped awkwardly. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.