09/03/2025  Shatin  Race 9

THE BOOM BOX (K076): Prior to declaring weighed-in K Teetan viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection against MAGNIFICENT NINE. When Jockey Teetan declined to lodge a protest/objection and the Stewards were satisfied that there were not sufficient grounds to do so, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Over the final 100 Metres raced tight to the inside of MAGNIFICENT NINE which shifted in slightly and near the winning post brushed with MAGNIFICENT NINE. Sent for sampling post-race. BRIGHT DAY (J530): No report. GRACIOUS EXPRESS (J188): After the event, J Orman stated that his mount was one-paced when placed under pressure in the Home Straight and, in his opinion, may be better suited by being ridden more conservatively in the early stages. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. CATCH ME IF U CAN (K060): Jumped only fairly and then bumped with LIGHTNESS OF BEING. MAGNIFICENT NINE (H433): Over the final 100 Metres lay in under pressure. Sent for sampling post-race. FREE PONY (K229): No report. LIGHTNESS OF BEING (K159): Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced. L Hewitson (ARMOUR WAR EAGLE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 300 Metres he shifted his mount to the outside of GRACIOUS EXPRESS when there was not sufficient room to do so, resulting in ARMOUR WAR EAGLE making contact with C YEAH, resulting in C YEAH becoming unbalanced and being taken out across the running of LIGHTNESS OF BEING, resulting in LIGHTNESS OF BEING having to be checked. L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 and to expire on Monday, 31 March 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. SUGAR BALL (H394): Blundered shortly after the start. CALL ME GORGEOUS (K091): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 300 Metres was taken wider by LOST CHILD. LOST CHILD (G461): Bumped shortly after the start. Near the 300 Metres was steadied to avoid LIGHTNESS OF BEING. After the event, M L Yeung stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages. Trainer C W Chang confirmed the instructions issued. ARMOUR WAR EAGLE (J039): Approaching the 300 Metres was held up for clear running behind GRACIOUS EXPRESS before improving to that runner’s outside leaving the 300 Metres, resulting in ARMOUR WAR EAGLE making contact with C YEAH. L Hewitson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 300 Metres (see LIGHTNESS OF BEING). Sent for sampling post-race. BEAUTY GLORY (E459): Over the final 200 Metres lay out under pressure. C YEAH (K034): Approaching the 300 Metres was bumped by ARMOUR WAR EAGLE which shifted out and became unbalanced. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the event, R Kingscote stated that the instructions were to obtain an on-pace position. I P O BROS (K193): Near the 200 Metres was steadied and shifted to the inside of FREE PONY to continue into clear running.