19/01/2025  Shatin  Race 7

SUPERB BOY (G335): Near the 50 Metres was steadied when crowded between LIGHT YEARS CHARM which shifted out slightly and made contact with SUPERB BOY and GRACIOUS EXPRESS which, after being initially bumped by EVERYONE’S STAR, was then taken in by that runner when EVERYONE’S STAR shifted in and away from ARMOUR WAR EAGLE when that runner became badly unbalanced. GRACIOUS EXPRESS (J188): Between the 400 Metres and the 250 Metres was bumped on a number of occasions as LIGHT YEARS CHARM endeavoured to obtain clear running to its inside. Near the 50 Metres became unbalanced when bumped by EVERYONE’S STAR. PRESTIGE ALWAYS (J300): Jumped only fairly. Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when positioned behind ARMOUR WAR EAGLE and CHAIN OF GOLD. After the event, B Shinn stated that his mount raced "flat” today. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING GOLD (H461): No report. CHAIN OF GOLD (J138): Near the 150 Metres became held up for clear running behind GRACIOUS EXPRESS and after being shifted to the outside of that runner after the 100 Metres was then checked when ARMOUR WAR EAGLE shifted in abruptly. RISING FROM ASHES (G209): Crowded near the 1000 Metres. Sent for sampling post-race. LIVEANDLETLIVE (K156): Shortly after the start was momentarily crowded by ARMOUR WAR EAGLE which shifted in. Near the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid FIND MY LOVE. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EVERYONE'S STAR (K172): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid ARMOUR WAR EAGLE. Near the 50 Metres shifted in and away from ARMOUR WAR EAGLE and made contact with GRACIOUS EXPRESS. LIGHT YEARS CHARM (K130): Near the 50 Metres became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters. When questioned, Z Purton stated that making the Home Turn he had observed GRACIOUS EXPRESS come under pressure and lay out slightly. He said as a result when his mount had been held up for clear running he endeavoured to improve into a narrow run between SUPERB BOY and GRACIOUS EXPRESS and as a result made contact with GRACIOUS EXPRESS between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres. He further stated that near the 300 Metres when GRACIOUS EXPRESS shifted out slightly he then again endeavoured to obtain clear running between SUPERB BOY and GRACIOUS EXPRESS but was prevented from doing so when both runners shifted ground which resulted in his mount being held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and near the 150 Metres when it shifted to the inside of SUPERB BOY. Whilst the Stewards accepted that Z Purton was riding in a competitive manner, he was asked to exercise more care in similar circumstances and not to attempt to force running for a prolonged distance. Sent for sampling post-race. NAMJONG KINGDOM (K015): Jumped only fairly. FIND MY LOVE (H110): Near the 1000 Metres was steadied away from PATCH OF COSMO. PATCH OF COSMO (J357): Near the 1300 Metres, when racing keenly, was eased to avoid SUPERB BOY which shifted in. Near the 1000 Metres was eased when racing tight to the inside of GRACIOUS EXPRESS. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Sent for sampling post-race. ARMOUR WAR EAGLE (J039): Shifted in at the start and was bumped. In the early stages raced keenly and near the 1000 Metres was checked to avoid THUNDER BLINK which was taken out by RISING FROM ASHES when that runner was taken out by LIGHT YEARS CHARM (Z Purton). Z Purton was advised to exercise more care. L Hewitson pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres whilst riding his mount along he endeavoured to obtain a run to the inside of RISING FROM ASHES when there was not sufficient room to do so, resulting in ARMOUR WAR EAGLE having to be checked away from RISING FROM ASHES and shortly after he endeavoured to shift his mount to the outside of RISING FROM ASHES to improve between PATCH OF COSMO and RISING FROM ASHES where there was not sufficient room to do so, resulting in ARMOUR WAR EAGLE striking the heels of RISING FROM ASHES, blundering and almost falling and also resulting in CHAIN OF GOLD, which was racing to the inside of EVERYONE’S STAR, being checked and PRESTIGE ALWAYS, which was following ARMOUR WAR EAGLE having to be checked. L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 12 February 2025 and to expire on Monday, 17 February 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Hewitson was fined $40,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 3 and also considered his very good race riding record. When questioned regarding his riding making the Home Turn and the reason he elected to improve to the inside of LIVEANDLETLIVE, L Hewitson stated that at its previous race start ARMOUR WAR EAGLE had improved down the outside and, in his opinion, its run ended as it was exposed too early in the Home Straight. He said today his instructions were to endeavour to save the horse up for a run later in the Home Straight and if possible to make ground in between runners. He said as a result making the Home Turn he elected to improve to the inside of LIVEANDLETLIVE but near the 350 Metres became held up behind PATCH OF COSMO. He said as a result he was obliged to steady his mount until he improved into a narrow run to the inside of PATCH OF COSMO approaching the 200 Metres. Trainer M Newnham confirmed the instructions issued and stated that since he took over the training of the horse this season its best runs had been when ridden in this manner. THUNDER BLINK (J019): Crowded near the 1000 Metres.