05/06/2016  Shatin  Race 2

SWEET BEAN and WIN CHANCE bumped on jumping. Shortly after the start, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN and FANTASTICLIFE raced tight between CHOICE EXCHEQUER and THIS IS GLADIATOR which shifted out. From the outside barrier, FLYING MACHINE got its head up on jumping when being steadied in order to be shifted across behind runners. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN and FANTASTICLIFE raced tight. G Lerena (FANTASTICLIFE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SWEET BEAN, causing that horse to be taken in across the rightful running of FLYING MACHINE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. G Lerena was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 23 June 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 15 June 2016. In addition, G Lerena was fined $5,000. After the 1400 Metres, WIN CHANCE was left racing wide and without cover and was consequently allowed to improve its position into the lead. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GLORIOUS VICTORY was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 800 Metres, THIS IS GLADIATOR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHOICE EXCHEQUER. Passing the 700 Metres, SWEET BEAN and LOYAL CRAFTSMAN raced tight. Near the 150 Metres, SWEET BEAN was shifted to the inside of GOOD FIT after being disappointed for running outside that horse which shifted out to improve. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MALAYAN PEARL, Z Purton stated that in the early stages he was able to take up a forward position on the horse, however, he did have to ride it along to do so. He said MALAYAN PEARL did not travel well at any stage of the race and he had to ride the horse along after the 1200 Metres in order to maintain its position. He said he then had to continually ride MALAYAN PEARL along including slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip on occasions as it was reluctant to hold its position. He said he continued to ride the horse along after this and passing the 600 Metres was required to ride it with some urgency as MALAYAN PEARL was commencing to give ground. He said, despite being ridden along, MALAYAN PEARL was unable to maintain its position which allowed THIS IS GLADIATOR to improve inside MALAYAN PEARL. He added as MALAYAN PEARL was racing like a horse that may be experiencing some internal issues, he eased it down in the Straight. Mr D Cruz, the trainer of MALAYAN PEARL, stated that he was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of the horse as it had done particularly well since its last start success. He said he had ridden MALAYAN PEARL on numerous occasions in the lead up to today's race including its final piece of fast work and had pleased him in the manner in which it completed its work. He said the only possible explanation for the horse's run today was that the race was run at a fast tempo in the middle stages and this may have forced MALAYAN PEARL, which was racing up on the speed, off the bridle sooner than it may ordinarily have been. He added, irrespective of this, MALAYAN PEARL was very disappointing in that it did not appear to travel well at any stage of the race. A veterinary inspection of MALAYAN PEARL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MALAYAN PEARL, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MALAYAN PEARL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LOYAL CRAFTSMAN, N Callan stated that as there did not appear to be much pace engaged in the race, he rode his mount along in the early stages from an inside barrier to obtain a midfield position. He said LOYAL CRAFTSMAN travelled well until WIN CHANCE improved its position after the 1200 Metres at which time his mount came off the bridle. He said because of this he had to ride LOYAL CRAFTSMAN along, however, the horse was reluctant to maintain its position. He added he again had to ride LOYAL CRAFTSMAN aggressively after the 700 Metres to prevent SWEET BEAN from shifting out to his inside and then after that had to continue to ride the horse along as LOYAL CRAFTSMAN was not improving its position at that time. He said he shifted LOYAL CRAFTSMAN to the outside in the Straight and, after staying on fairly in the early part of the Straight, was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of LOYAL CRAFTSMAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of FANTASTICLIFE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HOLY STAR, GOOD FIT and CHOICE EXCHEQUER were sent for sampling.