11/12/2016  Shatin  Race 3

BOOMING DELIGHT was slow to begin. ELUSIVE STATE and WINNER’S WAY began only fairly. From wide barriers, HARBOUR NOVA and HERO LOOK were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. HERO LOOK lost its right front plate near the 1300 Metres. When being steadied to obtain a positon closer to the rail passing the 1300 Metres, ROYAL ELITE got its head up on a number of occasions. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, SUPER MAN proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Then after being crossed by BEAT THE CLOCK approaching the 1100 Metres, SUPER MAN continued to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse. SUPER MAN was then allowed to improve its position to assume the lead. After the 900 Metres, CAREFREE LET GO was left racing wide and without cover. After the 600 Metres, ELUSIVE STATE was bumped by BOOMING DELIGHT (H Bowman) which shifted out. ELUSIVE STATE then became unbalanced when racing in restricted room between HOME RUN and BOOMING DELIGHT which continued to shift out around the heels of AMAZING GOLD. H Bowman was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he exercises care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. AMAZING GOLD lost its left hind plate after the 600 Metres. SUPER MAN lay out making the Home Turn. Passing the 200 Metres, HERO LOOK lay in and inconvenienced PROUD SKY. Over the final 100 Metres, BEAT THE CLOCK got its head on the side and shifted out away from WINNER’S WAY. Following the race and prior to the declaration of weighed-in, J Moreira, the rider of the second placed, BEAT THE CLOCK, lodged a protest/objection against WINNER’S WAY being declared the winner of the race alleging interference over the final 100 Metres. After viewing the videos, J Moreira sought leave to withdraw the protest/objection which was immediately acceded to by the Stewards. J Moreira subsequently was fined the sum of $5,000 for lodging a frivolous protest/objection. He was advised that had he have not sought to withdraw the protest/objection at an early stage, a greater monetary penalty may well have been imposed. It should be noted that J Moreira did not seek leave of the Stewards to view the official videos prior to entering a protest/objection. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on HARBOUR NOVA at the request of Trainer P O’Sullivan. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HARBOUR NOVA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNER’S WAY and BEAT THE CLOCK were sent for sampling.