27/05/2018  Shatin  Race 10

AMAZING began only fairly. BLAZING PARTNERS began awkwardly. SACRED IBIS shifted out at the start and bumped CALIFORNIA JOY. A short distance after the start, SACRED IBIS was crowded for room between CALIFORNIA JOY and MYTHICAL EMPEROR which got its head on the side and shifted out away from ROMAN ODYSSEY. From wide barriers, BLAZING PARTNERS, FALCON TURBO and PLAY WISE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied to obtain cover behind ROMAN ODYSSEY in the early stages, DOLLAR REWARD commenced to travel keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions. After passing the 1000 Metres, CALIFORNIA JOY raced tight between BIG BANG BONG (O Doleuze) and AMAZING. O Doleuze was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. K C Leung (MYTHICAL EMPEROR) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after shifting in across the running of ROMAN ODYSSEY when not properly clear approaching the 900 Metres, he excessively reduced the tempo of the race passing the 900 Metres, resulting in ROMAN ODYSSEY having to be checked away from the heels of MYTHICAL EMPEROR for some distance. RIGHT CALL (Apprentice H N Wong), which was following ROMAN ODYSSEY, was checked away from behind ROMAN ODYSSEY in consequence and shifted out away from the heels of that horse, causing AMAZING to be severely checked. When AMAZING was severely checked, SHAMPORT was hampered and taken wider and SACRED IBIS, which was following, was inconvenienced. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 13 June 2018 and to expire on Sunday, 17 June 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, K C Leung was fined $60,000. Apprentice Wong stated that after sustaining significant interference, RIGHT CALL became badly unbalanced and then did not travel well for the remainder of the race. He said although RIGHT CALL had to shift away from the heels of STORM SOLDIER at the top of the Straight, the horse was already beaten at this time and he attributed the horse’s performance to the significant interference that it suffered approaching the 900 Metres. A veterinary inspection of RIGHT CALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Near the 550 Metres, SACRED IBIS shifted out and bumped RIGHT CALL. RIGHT CALL then got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of SHAMPORT, resulting in RIGHT CALL having to be steadied away from the heels of that horse. DOLLAR REWARD got its head on the side and made the Home Turn awkwardly. Passing the 400 Metres, RIGHT CALL was checked away from the heels of STORM SOLDIER which was giving ground abruptly. Approaching the 350 Metres, FALCON TURBO was shifted to the inside of CALIFORNIA JOY after being disappointed for running outside that horse and to the inside of SACRED IBIS. Passing the 350 Metres, BIG BANG BONG shifted in and bumped SACRED IBIS on two occasions, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Throughout the race, STORM SOLDIER travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of STORM SOLIDER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of STORM SOLDIER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STORM SOLDIER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The performance of MYTHICAL EMPEROR, which gave ground in the Straight and finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MYTHICAL EMPEROR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SACRED IBIS and CALIFORNIA JOY were sent for sampling.