27/06/2015  Shatin  Race 5

After being loaded, BO DUKE became fractious. Before being allowed to race again, BO DUKE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. ELECTRONIC PHOENIX and KING BOUNTIFUL were slow to begin. From wide barriers, GOOD METHOD and UNIQUE JOYFUL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance in the early and middle stages, BORN TO WIN proved difficult to settle when racing in the lead. WIRE TO WIRE lost its left hind plate at the 1300 Metres. Near the 1150 Metres, TRIUMPHANT DRAGON got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MONEY CAFE. Near the 650 Metres, ELECTRONIC PHOENIX commenced to travel keenly and was steadied away from the heels of TERRIFIC MASTER. At the entrance to the Straight, GLORIOUS RYDER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEEDY WALLY which, after being taken out by HEROIC GURU, then got its head on the side and shifted out further. TERRIFIC MASTER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and again passing the 300 Metres. For some distance in the early part of the Straight, SILVER MISSION was held up for clear running when racing behind BO DUKE which was giving ground abruptly. Approaching the 200 Metres, HEROIC GURU shifted in abruptly, resulting in its rider, J Moreira, having to stop riding and straighten his mount. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by G Mosse, the rider of TRIUMPHANT DRAGON, which finished second, against HEROIC GURU being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount approaching the 200 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that near the 200 Metres TRIUMPHANT DRAGON was slightly inconvenienced by HEROIC GURU which shifted in towards TRIUMPHANT DRAGON. Having considered the slight nature of the interference and the half length margin between the horses at the end of the race, the Stewards overruled the protest/objection and declared weighed-in on the numbers displayed by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, G Mosse was fined the sum of $5,000 for lodging a frivolous protest/objection. Over the final 200 Metres, HEROIC GURU hung out badly towards the outside rail and proved very difficult to ride. The racing manners of HEROIC GURU were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HEROIC GURU will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. Throughout the race, SPEEDY WALLY travelled wide and without cover. HEROIC GURU and TRIUMPHANT DRAGON were sent for sampling.