01/10/2017  Shatin  Race 9

After entering the barriers, LOADED sat back on the gates and momentarily got down. LOADED was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was suitable to race. WHO DAT SINGA began awkwardly. From wide barriers, LOADED and INVINCIBLE FRESH were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. At the 1100 Metres, WHO DAT SINGA was steadied away from the heels of EXPERTO CREDE (T Berry) which shifted in when not quite clear. T Berry was advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground. During this incident, EXPERTO CREDE lost its right hind plate. Soon after straightening, APOLLO’S CHOICE momentarily raced tight inside CALCULATION which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. U Rispoli (INVINCIBLE FRESH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in across the rightful running of FRIENDS OF NANJING which was checked. U Rispoli was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 14 October 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 19 October 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Rispoli’s good race riding record. Inside the 50 Metres, MIGHTY MAVERICK was hampered and directed out away from the heels of WHO DAT SINGA (K Teetan) which shifted out marginally after being disappointed for a run between HARD BALL GET and EXPERTO CREDE. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care. Over the concluding stages, DARING FIT was inclined to lay out under pressure. Throughout the race, CALCULATION travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that he had ridden SKY KING in a recent barrier trial which, in his view, was quite satisfactory. He said, unlike at the trial, SKY KING became very nervous and commenced to sweat up profusely behind the barriers prior to being loaded. He said after beginning only fairly SKY KING raced in a lethargic manner in the early stages and the further the race went, the further his mount became detached from the field. He said approaching the first turn he continued to ride SKY KING along including using the whip, however, the horse’s action deteriorated and as he had concerns with SKY KING’S welfare, he retired it from the race in the middle stages. A veterinary inspection of SKY KING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. As SKY KING had been required to trial satisfactorily following its most recent start on 6 September 2017, the Stewards ruled that the horse must perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. RELENTLESS ME, APOLLO’S CHOICE and INVINCIBLE FRESH were sent for sampling.