01/07/2018  Shatin  Race 10

ENCOURAGING was withdrawn on 29.6.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SUMSTREETSUMWHERE (C Schofield). Before being allowed to race again, ENCOURAGING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, DIAMOND KING, which was fractious in the barriers, turned its head to the left, resulting in the horse beginning very awkwardly, shifting out and bumping the hindquarters of INVINCIBLE FRESH and losing ground. WINWIN RUBY and WARM THE VOICE bumped shortly after the start. From a wide barrier, SUPER GIANT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1100 Metres, INVINCIBLE FRESH commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BIG BANG BONG. SUMSTREETSUMWHERE, which was following INVINCIBLE FRESH, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence for some distance after the 1000 Metres. Throughout the race, CALIFORNIA JOY travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards opened an inquiry into the reason for COMFORT LIFE (Z Purton) being checked approaching the 300 Metres. After taking evidence from Z Purton and Apprentice C Wong (EXPERTO CREDE), the Stewards adjourned the inquiry until prior to the first race at the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 4 July 2018 so that Apprentice Wong can be represented in respect of this matter. Apprentice Wong’s allocated trainer, Mr A T Millard, was not in Hong Kong for today’s racemeeting. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND KING and GRADE ONE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COMFORT LIFE, CALIFORNIA JOY and HOME RUN were sent for sampling. <4/7/2018 Adjourned Inquiry – 1 July 2018 Sha Tin Racemeeting – Race 10 (769)> Apprentice C Wong (EXPERTO CREDE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of COMFORT LIFE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Wong 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).