15/04/2018  Shatin  Race 6

AMBITIOUS PINS was withdrawn on 14.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, AMBITIOUS PINS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being fractious in the barriers, STRATHSPEY reared, resulting in T Berry being dislodged without incident. Before being allowed to race again, STRATHSPEY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. STRATHSPEY was crowded for room on jumping between PEARL CHAMPION and SEA PEARL which shifted out. A short distance after the start, STRATHSPEY was checked when crowded for room between PEARL CHAMPION and SEA PEARL which again shifted out after being bumped by RED ELYSEES. In this incident, SEA PEARL also became badly unbalanced. From wide barriers, SMART CHARADE, CLEMENT LEGEND and DESMIOS were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After initially being steadied to obtain a position from a wide barrier, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT was left racing wide and without cover after the 1400 Metres and was then allowed to improve into a more forward position after the 1200 Metres, however, continued to race wide and without cover. Approaching the 1400 Metres, SEA PEARL, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of PEARL CHAMPION which shifted in. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SEA PEARL, which continued to travel keenly, was awkwardly placed behind PEARL CHAMPION which at this time was steadied due to SHALLUCK shifting out from behind MARVEL JOY. PEARL CHAMPION lost its right hind plate near the 1100 Metres. Near the 350 Metres, PEARL CHAMPION raced tight outside NAMJONG PLUS which, after improving to the outside of RED ELYSEES, raced tight outside that horse which itself shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running. Also near the 350 Metres, SEA PEARL was checked when racing tight between STRATHSPEY which shifted out marginally when held up for clear running behind PEARL CHAMPION and THE FULL BLOOM which was racing in restricted room inside the heels of HINYUEN SWIFTNESS. As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error associated with this incident, no further action was taken. Near the 250 Metres, PEARL CHAMPION and NAMJONG PLUS raced tight between HINYUEN SWIFTNESS and RED ELYSEES. RED ELYSEES had difficulty obtaining clear running over the final 200 Metres and consequently was not able to be properly tested. Passing the 200 Metres, NAMJONG PLUS got its head on the side and shifted out marginally, resulting in PEARL CHAMPION racing in restricted room inside HINYUEN SWIFTNESS. A Sanna (SMART CHARADE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 100 Metres he failed to make sufficient endeavour to prevent that horse from shifting in when not clear of THE FULL BLOOM, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. A Sanna was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 2 May 2018 and to expire on Monday, 7 May 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, A Sanna was fined $12,500. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as T Berry, the rider of STRATHSPEY, which finished second, lodged a protest/objection against NAMJONG PLUS (K Teetan) being declared the winner alleging interference in the early part of the Straight. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that at the entrance to the Straight STRATHSPEY was shifted out in an endeavour to improve to the outside of NAMJONG PLUS which then also shifted out to improve. STRATHSPEY was consequently disappointed for running and then held up and awkwardly placed behind PEARL CHAMPION when unable to improve between PEARL CHAMPION and NAMJONG PLUS approaching and passing the 400 Metres. STRATHSPEY was subsequently shifted to the inside of NAMJONG PLUS passing the 350 Metres to obtain clear running. As the Stewards were satisfied that STRATHSPEY had not fully established running to the outside of NAMJONG PLUS as that horse shifted to the outside of RED ELYSEES, the protest/objection was overruled and accordingly weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. When questioned, Apprentice C Wong (MARVEL JOY) stated that at the 700 Metres he had a look to his inside to ensure that he had not established a margin over the remainder of the field. He said although he was aware that SHALLUCK was racing to his outside, he looked to his inside to make sure that he was not setting too fast a tempo on MARVEL JOY. A veterinary inspection of THE FULL BLOOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NAMJONG PLUS and STRATHSPEY were sent for sampling.