27/06/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

BORNTOACHIEVE began awkwardly, shifted in on jumping and bumped AMAZING RACE. From the outside barriers, FLYING NOBLE and PEARLY TREASURE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 950 Metres, LUCKY LUCKY was steadied away from the heels of OCEAN ROAR (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in. Apprentice Wong was reprimanded. T H So (BEAUT BEAUT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 950 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ORIENTAL ELITE, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room and in turn taken in onto NATURAL FLARE which was taken in onto NASHASHUK which was checked when crowded for room. T H So was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 11 July 2018 and to expire on Monday, 16 July 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). For some distance after the 550 Metres, BEAUT BEAUT was awkwardly placed behind LUCKY LUCKY which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, ORIENTAL ELITE momentarily raced in restricted room inside BORNTOACHIEVE which shifted in marginally. Passing the 300 Metres and again near the 250 Metres, NATURAL FLARE shifted out and bumped FLYING NOBLE, causing both horses to become unbalanced. FLYING NOBLE then lay in under pressure for a short distance after this. Passing the 100 Metres, BORNTOACHIEVE was shifted out away from the heels of OCEAN ROAR. Then over the concluding stages, BORNTOACHIEVE was unable to be ridden out when awkwardly placed behind LUCKY LUCKY which was eased down by its rider over the concluding stages. When questioned, J Moreira (LUCKY LUCKY) stated that passing the 50 Metres LUCKY LUCKY got its head up and became unbalanced in its action as BEAUT BEAUT improved to its outside. He said as he felt that something may have gone amiss with LUCKY LUCKY, he eased the horse down over the concluding stages. He said at the time he eased down LUCKY LUCKY, the horse was not in contention for a placing. After viewing the videos, the Stewards accepted Jockey Moreira’s explanation. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY LUCKY immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a superficial wound to the inside of the right front cannon. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY LUCKY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards inquired into T H So’s riding of BEAUT BEAUT, the 4th placegetter, over the concluding stages. Having considered the head margin between AMAZING RACE, the 3rd placegetter, and BEAUT BEAUT, the Stewards considered the riding of T H So did not affect the horse’s placing, nonetheless he was severely reprimanded and reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out all the way to the end of the race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NATURAL FLARE had sustained a wound to the outside of the right hind coronary band. A veterinary inspection of I’M THE CONQUIST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. I’M THE CONQUIST, ORIENTAL ELITE and WINFULL PATROL were sent for sampling.