18/01/2017  Shatin  Race 4

M REBORN began awkwardly and shifted in towards the hindquarters of GLOBAL DOMINATION. GLOBAL DOMINATION and M REBORN were then hampered by SMILING GLORY which shifted out before shifting further after being bumped on the hindquarters by GLOBAL DOMINATION. This resulted in GLOBAL DOMINATION and M REBORN losing ground. From wide barriers, BOLSHOI BALLET and THE CHAMP were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, HORSE SUPREMO (N Callan) hung in, resulting in SMILING GLORY and TOP BONUS being crowded for room after the 1000 Metres. N Callan reported that HORSE SUPREMO continued to hang in badly until making the first turn after the 700 Metres at which time the horse got its head on the side and hung out badly. The racing manners of HORSE SUPREMO, which also finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HORSE SUPREMO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Making the first turn after the 700 Metres, SMILING GLORY raced tight inside TOP BONUS (O Doleuze) which shifted in. O Doleuze was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. Passing the 500 Metres, FIVE STARS AGENT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SALSA BROTHERS. BOLSHOI BALLET and THE CHAMP lay out approaching and rounding the Home Turn. The performances of TOP BONUS and THE CHAMP, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TOP BONUS and THE CHAMP 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 reason for having two sustained looks to his inside approaching the Home Turn, S de Sousa stated that when SMILING GLORY was racing in restricted room inside TOP BONUS, he received a number of calls from the rider of I’M THE WON FOR U which was improving into very tight running to the inside of SMILING GLORY near the 600 Metres. He said for this reason he initially looked to his inside to establish the reason for the calls. He said approaching the 500 Metres he again looked to his inside to make it known to the rider of I’M THE WON FOR U that he felt that he had put himself in an awkward position by improving into tight running inside SMILING GLORY. After viewing the videos and having in mind the positions of both horses at the relevant time and the manner in which they finished off the race, the Stewards warned Jockey de Sousa against the practice of looking around unnecessarily in races. A veterinary inspection of TOP BONUS, SMILING GLORY and HORSE SUPREMO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. I’M THE WON FOR U and RESPECT were sent for sampling.