19/06/2016  Shatin  Race 9

JOYFUL PARK was withdrawn on 18.6.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL PARK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL YOU WISH was slow to begin. HAMMER KING shifted out at the start and bumped TOUR DE FORCE which in turn shifted out and bumped NEW ASIA SUNRISE. EXCITING DREAM was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. C Schofield (WHY WHY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of NEW ASIA SUNRISE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 11 July 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 Sunday, 26 June 2016. In addition, C Schofield was fined $70,000. In this incident, NEW ASIA SUNRISE bumped RACING SUPERNOVA which became badly unbalanced. TOUR DE FORCE (Z Purton) which was following NEW ASIA SUNRISE, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence and then shifted out across the heels of INVINCIBLE DRAGON. EXCITING DREAM, which was following TOUR DE FORCE, was also steadied. Z Purton reported that after this incident TOUR DE FORCE commenced to over-race and would not respond to his endeavours to have it steady. Approaching the turn near the 900 Metres, HAMMER KING got its head up and shifted out when being restrained to allow WAH MAY FRIEND (M Chadwick) to cross into the lead. Then passing the 900 Metres, HAMMER KING, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WAH MAY FRIEND which shifted in when not properly clear. M Chadwick was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that HAMMER KING's racing manners had played a significant part in this incident, nonetheless he has an obligation to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. Approaching the 300 Metres, TOUR DE FORCE was steadied when racing in restricted room between ALL YOU WISH and NEW ASIA SUNRISE which shifted out under pressure. After the race, Z Purton stated that as TOUR DE FORCE did not feel comfortable in its action following this incident, he eased the horse down for the remainder of the Straight. A veterinary inspection of TOUR DE FORCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, TOUR DE FORCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL YOU WISH lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Throughout the race, INVINCIBLE DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of NEW ASIA SUNRISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RACING SUPERNOVA, WAH MAY FRIEND and HAMMER KING were sent for sampling.