17/04/2017  Shatin  Race 10

WUSHU CHAMPION bounded in the air as the start was effected, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground and its rider, D Whyte, becoming unbalanced. Before being allowed to race again, WUSHU CHAMPION will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. STARSHIP was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Near the 1250 Metres, XINJIANG YARN was steadied away from the heels of CONVINCIBLE. BRING IT ON lost its left front plate after the 800 Metres. Throughout the race, CONVINCIBLE travelled wide and without cover and passing the 500 Metres got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 450 Metres, BRING IT ON shifted out and bumped VICTORY DAY. Passing the 450 Metres, VOLITATION and TOP LAURELS raced tight as VOLITATION shifted to the outside of HIGH AND MIGHTY. Apprentice M F Poon (CONVINCIBLE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 350 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out, resulting in BRING IT ON being crowded for room and taken out onto VICTORY DAY which was severely checked when crowded for room between BRING IT ON and WORLD RECORD. XINJIANG YARN, which was following VICTORY DAY, was checked and blundered after striking the heels of SUNNY WAY, resulting in its rider, K C Ng, almost being dislodged. WUSHU CHAMPION, which was following XINJIANG YARN, was shifted out abruptly from behind that horse. Having regard to the fact that Apprentice Poon is not currently approved to ride at Happy Valley, the Stewards decided that the appropriate penalty was for his licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Sunday, 7 May 2017 and to expire on Sunday, 14 May 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). During this period, there are two racemeetings scheduled to be conducted at Sha Tin Racecourse. SMILING CHARM momentarily raced tight inside HIGH AND MIGHTY near the 250 Metres. A veterinary inspection of CONVINCIBLE, TOP LAURELS, VICTORY DAY and WUSHU CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WORLD RECORD, SUNNY WAY and LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT were sent for sampling.