20/09/2017  Happy Valley  Race 4

PO CHING TREASURE shifted out at the start and bumped SMART UNION. Shortly after the start, AMAZING GOLD was bumped by CROWN AVENUE which was racing tight inside EXCELLENCE. After this, despite being ridden along, CROWN AVENUE failed to muster speed. From wide barriers, CHARITY KINGDOM and MEISTERSTUECK were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1150 Metres, CHARITY KINGDOM commenced to travel keenly and got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of SMART UNION. In this incident, MEISTERSTUECK raced tight inside CHARITY KINGDOM. After being crossed by CURLING LUXURY passing the 1100 Metres, SCARBOROUGH FAIR got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Rounding the Home Turn, BALAY BALAY and SMART UNION bumped. Near the 250 Metres, BALAY BALAY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of SMART UNION which got its head on the side and hung in. Passing the 200 Metres, EXCELLENCE was checked when crowded for room between PO CHING TREASURE (U Rispoli) which shifted out under pressure and SMART UNION (J Moreira) which got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure. Both U Rispoli and J Moreira were reprimanded and advised that in the circumstances they should have made more endeavour to prevent their respective mounts from shifting ground. Near the 75 Metres, AMAZING GOLD was shifted in away from the heels of SCARBOROUGH FAIR to obtain clear running. After this, AMAZING GOLD raced tight inside SCARBOROUGH FAIR when improving into narrow running between that horse and KING WINSA. Passing the winning post, SCARBOROUGH FAIR was crowded for room inside PO CHING TREASURE which shifted in. Then after the winning post, PO CHING TREASURE shifted in further, resulting in SCARBOROUGH FAIR being taken in onto AMAZING GOLD which was in turn taken across the running of KING WINSA which was checked. U Rispoli was told that whilst the majority of this incident occurred after the winning post, nonetheless in the circumstances he should have done more than he did to provide horses and riders to his inside with sufficient room and therefore he was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to show far more care than he did on this occasion. U Rispoli was also advised that the Stewards had cause to speak to him regarding causing interference on a number of occasions this season and that he should ride with due care in future. For the majority of the race, BALAY BALAY travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of BALAY BALAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MEISTERSTUECK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MEISTERSTUECK, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MEISTERSTUECK will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KING WINSA, CURLING LUXURY and SMART UNION were sent for sampling. <24/9/2017 Addition to Racing Incidents Report of 20 September 2017 Happy Valley Racemeeting> When being transported back to Sha Tin, SMART UNION got down in the float. The Veterinary Officer reported that SMART UNION had sustained superficial abrasions on all legs and wounds over the right fetlock and to its head. Trainer M J Freedman stated that as SMART UNION had only sustained superficial wounds, it is his intention at this stage to return the horse to the training tracks this week.