20/05/2018  Shatin  Race 10

ROCKETEER was withdrawn on 17.5.18 by order of the Stewards (stable transfer). MONGOLIAN LEGEND began awkwardly and lost ground and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of DOCTOR GEOFF which became unbalanced. MORETHANLUCKY began only fairly. From the outside barrier, STAR MAJESTIC was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. RISE HIGH lost its left hind plate near the 1400 Metres. After the 1100 Metres, CITRON SPIRIT was left racing wide and without cover. At the entrance to the Straight, EASY GO EASY WIN was bumped by RISE HIGH (Z Purton) which shifted out to obtain clear running. Z Purton was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he exercises due care when shifting ground. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by Apprentice C Wong, the rider of 3rd placed, CITRON SPIRIT, against the winner RISE HIGH alleging interference to his mount near the 350 Metres. Apprentice Wong informed the Stewards that he had lodged the protest/objection in consultation with Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of CITRON SPIRIT. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was established that passing the 400 Metres DOCTOR GEOFF and COBY BOY bumped as a result of both horses shifting ground. Both DOCTOR GEOFF and COBY BOY then became unbalanced which resulted in COBY BOY shifting out away from DOCTOR GEOFF and dictating RISE HIGH outwards. After being forced out by COBY BOY, RISE HIGH then got its head on the side and shifted out away from that horse, resulting in EASY GO EASY WIN being badly hampered and taken out onto CITRON SPIRIT which was also hampered. As the Stewards were satisfied that RISE HIGH had not been the sole cause of this incident and having regard to the amount of interference sustained by CITRON SPIRIT, they ruled that the protest/objection be overruled and the numbers semaphored by the Judge be confirmed. Apprentice Wong was advised that having regard to the fact that he is a 10 lb claiming apprentice who has only been riding in Hong Kong for a short period, the Stewards would take no action against him for lodging a frivolous protest/objection other than issue him with a severe reprimand. He was further advised that had he have been a more experienced jockey, the Stewards would have penalized him for lodging a frivolous protest/objection. The Stewards will interview Mr Yiu regarding his involvement in the protest/objection being lodged prior to the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 23 May 2018. Passing the 100 Metres, STAR MAJESTIC was disappointed for running between IMPERIAL GALLANTRY and COBY BOY. STAR MAJESTIC was then unable to be ridden out over the concluding stages when held up behind COBY BOY. A veterinary inspection of EASY GO EASY WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of COBY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RISE HIGH and DOCTOR GEOFF were sent for sampling. <23/5/2018 20 May 2018 Sha Tin Racemeeting – Race 10 (667)> The Stewards tonight interviewed Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of CITRON SPIRIT, regarding his involvement in a protest/objection which was lodged following this race. Mr Yiu, as a licensee with considerable experience, was fined the sum of $5,000 for being a party to the lodgement of a frivolous protest/objection.