07/10/2018  Shatin  Race 2

GREAT JOY was slow to begin. Soon after the start, the saddle on CHATER THUNDER slipped back which resulted in CHATER THUNDER bucking and dislodging its rider, N Callan. Before being allowed to race again, CHATER THUNDER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. N Callan was subsequently examined by the Club’s Racing Medical Officer and cleared to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. From the outside barrier, ENJOY LIFE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1400 Metres, QUICK RETURN commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of DIAMOND FRIENDS. Approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, GOOD FIT was awkwardly placed inside the heels of QUICK RETURN which was racing tight inside LET US WIN which shifted in to obtain a trailing position behind DIAMOND FRIENDS. Near the 100 Metres, GREAT JOY shifted in and made contact with the hindquarters of THE FULL BLOOM, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the final 100 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether LET US WIN (A Sanna) should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently U Rispoli, the rider of DIAMOND FRIENDS, 2nd placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against LET US WIN being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount over the final 100 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that approaching the 100 Metres LET US WIN shifted in and made contact with DIAMOND FRIENDS. Then over the final 100 Metres, LET US WIN continued to shift ground under pressure, making further contact with DIAMOND FRIENDS and forcing that horse inwards a number of horses. Having in mind the nose margin between the horses at the end of the race and the sustained distance over which LET US WIN had shifted in and hampered DIAMOND FRIENDS, the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had the interference which clearly took place not occurred DIAMOND FRIENDS would have finished in front of LET US WIN. Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No. 10, DIAMOND FRIENDS, 1st; No. 5, LET US WIN, 2nd; No. 4, GREAT JOY, 3rd; and No. 8, THE FULL BLOOM, 4th. Subsequently A Sanna was severely reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten LET US WIN in this incident. A veterinary inspection of QUICK RETURN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. QUICK RETURN, DIAMOND FRIENDS and LET US WIN were sent for sampling.