17/01/2016  Shatin  Race 6

LONDON CITY began awkwardly. From wide barriers, VICTOR EMPEROR and ROYALE ELEGANCE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1300 Metres, IMPERIAL SEAL commenced to prove difficult to settle and was restrained away from the heels of BORN TO WIN. INNOVATIVE WINNER lost its right front plate near the 1200 Metres. Approaching the 1000 Metres, ROYALE ELEGANCE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of UNIQUE AWESOME. K C Leung (MASSIVE POWER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 950 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of AMAZING ALWAYS, causing that horse to be severely checked when crowded onto INNOVATIVE WINNER which was also severely hampered. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 18 February 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 6 February 2016. Passing the 350 Metres, IMPERIAL SEAL was bumped and taken out by RIGHT CALL (J Moreira) which shifted out into clear running. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 150 Metres, AMAZING ALWAYS was momentarily crowded for room between HAPPY JOURNEY and SAFARI MAGIC, both of which shifted marginal ground. Passing the 100 Metres, VICTOR EMPEROR was shifted to the inside of BORN TO WIN to obtain clear running after being steadied when disappointed for running between BORN TO WIN and IMPERIAL SEAL which shifted in. Over the concluding stages, DANEWIN EXPRESS was awkwardly placed between MASSIVE POWER and IMPERIAL SEAL and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. For the majority of the race, SAFARI MAGIC travelled wide and without cover. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of Y T Cheng (SAFARI MAGIC), 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit. C Y Ho stated that he had been instructed to ride DANEWIN EXPRESS positively in the early stages on the proviso that the horse began well. He said he was told that if the horse did not begin well, he should shift it across behind runners and obtain cover. He said on jumping DANEWIN EXPRESS got its head up on a number of occasions and began awkwardly before bumping with ROYALE ELEGANCE which shifted in. He said because of these factors he shifted DANEWIN EXPRESS across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LONDON CITY, Apprentice H N Wong stated that when he attempted to steady LONDON CITY after obtaining the lead near the 1000 Metres, LONDON CITY commenced to make an abnormal breathing noise. He said LONDON CITY continued to make an audible noise which worsened when he was steadying the horse following the race. He said when he had ridden LONDON CITY previously in its races and its track work, he was not aware of the horse making a similar noise. He said when placed under pressure in the Straight, LONDON CITY did not respond to his riding and weakened. A veterinary inspection of LONDON CITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, LONDON CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BOLD STITCH and RIGHT CALL were sent for sampling.