08/09/2024  Shatin  Race 8

BALLISTIC WIN (J040): Jumped only fairly. Near the 200 Metres was directed to the outside of U S S CONSTITUTION to obtain clear running. B Thompson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference leaving the 150 Metres (see PRINCE ALEX). Sent for sampling post-race. VIVA GRACIOUSNESS (J079): No report. OWNERS' PRAISE (H047): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned regarding his riding approaching the Home Turn and the reason he elected to improve to the inside of HARMONY N HOME, L Hewitson stated that after being positioned behind HARMONY N HOME, when he felt that runner could not take him into the event as it was not a fancied runner, he elected to improve to its inside with a view to following FAMILY JEWEL and SOLID WIN which were in advance. He said after improving to the inside of HARMONY N HOME, that runner commenced to improve into the event and when FAMILY JEWEL became held up for clear running and BLAZING WIND commenced to give ground, this resulted in OWNERS’ PRAISE being held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres at which point he was able to shift to the outside to secure clear running. L Hewitson agreed that in hindsight his better option would have been to improve to the outside of HARMONY N HOME given his mount was held up in the early part of the Home Straight. However, the Stewards found the tactics adopted in the circumstances were reasonable having regard to his explanation. U S S CONSTITUTION (H357): No report. LUCKY GOLD (G112): Near the 600 Metres was steadied away from FAMILY JEWEL. BLAZING WIND (J157): Jumped only fairly. After the event, H Bowman could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FAMILY JEWEL (J390): Near the 600 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied to avoid VIVA GRACIOUSNESS. Approaching the 300 Metres was disappointed for clear running between VIVA GRACIOUSNESS and BLAZING WIND and then was held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 100 Metres. SOLID WIN (J225): Blundered shortly after the start. Sent for sampling post-race. CIRCUIT MIGHTY (G078): No report. PRINCE ALEX (G307): B Thompson (BALLISTIC WIN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that leaving the 150 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out, resulting in PRINCE ALEX having to be checked to avoid the heels of BALLISTIC WIN. B Thompson was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record. GALLANT CROWN (D359): Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Trainer D A Hayes confirmed the instructions were not to lead and endeavour to ride GALLANT CROWN in a conservative manner in the early stages. GANGNAM STAR (H326): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. HARMONY N HOME (C531): Sent for sampling post-race.