14/06/2015  Shatin  Race 6

IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was badly crowded for room on jumping between UNICORN and THIS IS GLADIATOR, both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, ASIA RISING was crowded for room inside INDIGO WAY which got its head on the side and shifted in. Near the 900 Metres, HAPPY PLACE was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was shifted out away from the heels of JUST PLEASANT. Near the 350 Metres, HIGH WARRIOR was shifted out away from the heels of UNICORN which was taken wider by HAPPY PLACE when improving to the outside of that horse. D Lane (HELLO KIMBERLEY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of WIRE TO WIRE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for D Lane’s licence to ride in race to be suspended for a period to commence after the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 12 July 2015 with him being eligible to resume race riding on Monday, 27 July 2015. D Lane is currently due to commence a suspension incurred at the Happy Valley racemeeting last Wednesday, 10 June 2015 on Monday, 15 June 2015 which is to expire on Thursday, 25 June 2015 on which day he may resume race riding. At the 200 Metres, JUST PLEASANT and SHOWHOOVES were crowded for room inside BEAR-POP which was taken in by HELLO KIMBERLEY which, when weakening, got its head on the side and shifted in away from HAPPY PLACE which hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. HAPPY PLACE continued to hang in under pressure for the remainder of the race. The performance of THIS IS GLADIATOR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, THE IS GLADIATOR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Apprentice H N Wong (BORN TO WIN) stated that he had been instructed to lead if possible, however, if the rider of another horse was intent on leading, he should hand up the lead and obtain a trailing position. He said after initially racing to the outside of SNOWHOOVES in the early stages, he allowed BORN TO WIN to improve its position into the lead when that horse was steadied after the 1400 Metres. He said in the middle stages he was aware that BORN TO WIN had established something of a margin over the remainder of the field, however, he felt that the tempo of the race was not overly strong and as he had not ridden the horse along in the early stages to obtain the lead, he did not believe he was going too quickly on the horse. After being made aware of the sectional times between the 1200 Metres and the 400 Metres, Apprentice Wong agreed that the tempo of the race at this time was faster than he thought and that he should have made a far greater effort to steady the tempo to allow BORN TO WIN the opportunity to close off the race. Apprentice Wong was told to ensure that, wherever possible, he does not set such a tempo on his mounts that they are then not able to finish off their race. After the race, J Moreira stated that after being able to obtain a good position on BEAR-POP in midfield with cover, the horse was then disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding when asked rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He said after momentarily racing tight near the 200 Metres, BEAR-POP was particularly disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of BEAR-POP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings The performance of BEAR-POP, a winner of its last two starts, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAR-POP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HELLO KIMBERLEY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. UNICORN and HAPPY PLACE were sent for sampling.