23/04/2017  Shatin  Race 1

Whilst in the saddling stalls, SHINING CHAMPION had its left front plate refitted. SHINING CHAMPION was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. THUNDER DASH began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of JIMSON THE FAMOUS which became unbalanced. This resulted in THUNDER DASH losing ground. Shortly after the start, HAYMAKER and ALL TIMES LUCKY were crowded for room between CATCHMEIFYOUCAN and FAST ROCKET which began awkwardly and after initially being taken out by SOCCER BRAVE then got its head on the side and shifted out further away from that horse. In this incident, CATCHMEIFYOUCAN became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by ALL TIMES LUCKY. SHINING CHAMPION lost its left front plate shortly after the start. Near the 650 Metres, FAST ROCKET was momentarily crowded for room inside CATCHMEIFYOUCAN (C Schofield) which shifted in. C Schofield was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside. At the entrance to the Straight, CATCHMEIFYOUCAN became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by JIMSON THE FAMOUS (Apprentice M F Poon) which shifted out. Apprentice Poon was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. In the early part of the Straight, NO LAUGHING MATTER got its head on the side and hung in under pressure and near the 300 Metres was steadied away from the heels of ALL TIMES LUCKY which shifted out away from THUNDER DASH. Passing the 300 Metres, CATCHMEIFYOUCAN was brushed by JIMSON THE FAMOUS which improved into tight running between CATCHMEIFYOUCAN and FORTUNE BROTHERS. T H So (LE PEGASE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of SHINING CHAMPION, causing that horse to be hampered and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled and for HAYMAKER, which was racing to the outside of SHINING CHAMPION, to also be hampered.. T H So was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 30 April 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 4 May 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, T H So was fined $15,000. Near the 200 Metres, HAYMAKER was steadied away from the heels of LE PEGASE (T H So) which shifted to the outside of CATCHMEIFYOUCAN to obtain clear running. T H So was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. T H So explained that passing the 250 Metres he committed LE PEGASE to shift to the outside of CATCHMEIFYOUCAN because at that time a run did not exist between CATCHMEIFYOUCAN and JIMSON THE FAMOUS. He said as he committed LE PEGASE to the outside of CATCHMEIFYOUCAN, that horse shifted out, resulting in LE PEGASE being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse, however, at this time he was unable to steady LE PEGASE and shift back in to improve between CATCHMEIFYOUCAN and JIMSON THE FAMOUS and for this reason he continued to shift out to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of HAYMAKER and SOCCER BRAVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SOCCER BRAVE, JIMSON THE FAMOUS and FORTUNE BROTHERS were sent for sampling.