29/05/2016  Shatin  Race 4

REWARDING FLYER was slow to begin. JOY PLUS FUN began awkwardly and then was bumped by HOUSE OF FUN which shifted out, resulting in JOY PLUS FUN becoming unbalanced. NAMJONG INVINCIBLE was crowded for room on jumping between SUPER MAN and ARGENTUM, both of which shifted ground. In this incident, both ARGENTUM and SUPER MAN became unbalanced after making contact with NAMJONG INVINCIBLE. NAMJONG INVINCIBLE and ARGENTUM were subsequently shifted across behind runners. Despite being aggressively ridden along in the early stages, PLENTY OF SPEED failed to muster speed and throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Approaching the 1000 Metres, WHO’STHEDUDE raced in restricted room between INVENTION MASTER and CHEERFUL FRAME which was being ridden along to obtain a forward position. Then passing the 1000 Metres, WHO’STHEDUDE was steadied away from the heels of CHEERFUL FRAME (C Schofield) which shifted in. C Schofield was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. Passing the 800 Metres, HOUSE OF FUN, which was being steadied to obtain cover, became awkward on the heels of REAL SUPREME (M Chadwick) which shifted in when not properly clear. M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to be sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 500 Metres, NAMJONG INVINCIBLE and AMAZING ALWAYS raced tight. Rounding the Home Turn, JOY PLUS FUN was bumped by WHO’STHEDUDE which shifted out in an attempt to obtain clear running. REWARDING FLYER, INVENTION MASTER and HOUSE OF FUN were all held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. At the 400 Metres, HOME RUN was shifted in away from the heels of HOUSE OF FUN in an attempt to improve to the inside of that horse. HOME RUN was then steadied when disappointed for running between HOUSE OF FUN and INVENTION MASTER. NAMJONG INVINCIBLE, which was following, shifted in abruptly away from the heels of HOME RUN. Passing the 350 Metres, WHO’STHEDUDE raced tight inside JOY PLUS FUN which was then shifted out away from WHO’STHEDUDE. REWARDING FLYER was held up for clear running behind DASHING FORTUNE approaching and passing the 200 Metres. NAMJONG INVINCIBLE was badly held up for clear running until near the 200 Metres and then approaching the 150 Metres was hampered when improving into tight running between SUPER MAN and CHEERFUL FRAME, both of which shifted ground marginally. CHEERFUL FRAME was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to NAMJONG INVINCIBLE and bumped the hindquarters of HOME RUN. For some distance after the 150 Metres, INVENTION MASTER was held up after being disappointed for a run inside REAL SUPREME which shifted in. M Chadwick was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that INVENTION MASTER had not established running to the inside of REAL SUPREME, nonetheless he must in similar circumstances make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course. Because of this incident, INVENTION MASTER was not able to be properly tested over the final stages of the race. Throughout the race, SUPER MAN travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast sufficient doubt as to whether SUPER MAN should be declared the 2nd placegetter. Subsequently Z Purton, the rider of 3rd placed, NAMJONG INVINCIBLE, lodged a protest/objection against SUPER MAN alleging interference to his mount over the concluding stages. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was established that at about the 20 Metres NAMJONG INVINCIBLE, which had shifted in marginally, became unbalanced after being bumped by SUPER MAN which was directed out in order to prevent causing interference to runners to its inside. As a result of this shift out from SUPER MAN, that horse and NAMJONG INVINCIBLE continued to make contact right until the finishing line. The Stewards formed the view that the marginal shift from NAMJONG INVINCIBLE was inconsequential and that the incident was as a result of SUPER MAN shifting out. Having regard to the manner in which the two horses were finishing off the race, the degree of interference, the proximity of this incident to the finishing line and the short head margin between both horses at the end of the race, the Stewards were comfortable that had it not have been for SUPER MAN shifting out, NAMJONG INVINCIBLE would have finished in front of that horse and accordingly the protest/objection was sustained with the placings amended to read No. 2, HOME RUN, 1st; No. 7, NAMJONG INVINCIBLE, 2nd; No. 4, SUPER MAN, 3rd; and No. 5, HOUSE OF FUN, 4th. After the race, it was reported that INVENTION MASTER had bled from both nostrils. An endoscopic examination conducted by the Veterinary Surgeon on INVENTION MASTER confirmed that the horse had bled.