09/12/2018  Shatin  Race 4

Whilst in the saddling stalls, LATROBE had its right front plate refitted. LATROBE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. PRINCE OF ARRAN began very awkwardly and shifted out abruptly at the start. CROCOSMIA lost its right hind plate at the start. Near the 2200 Metres, SALOUEN raced tight inside EZIYRA which became unbalanced and then was shifted out to relieve the tightening to SALOUEN. Z Purton (EXULTANT) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 2100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of EZIYRA, resulting in that horse being directed in onto SALOUEN, causing SALOUEN and RED VERDON to be badly crowded for room. LATROBE, which was following those runners, was steadied in consequence. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 19 December 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 27 December 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). Passing the winning post on the first occasion, WALDGEIST became unbalanced of its own accord. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, SALOUEN was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 1600 Metres, EAGLE WAY got its head up when being shifted in away from the heels of LATROBE. A short distance later, LYS GRACIEUX was shifted out away from the heels of LATROBE. Passing the 1400 Metres, WALDGEIST raced tight inside RED VERDON which lay in momentarily. W Buick (PAKISTAN STAR) pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 450 Metres he directed his mount out at an acute angle when not clear of WALDGEIST, causing that horse and RED VERDON, which was racing to the outside of WALDGEIST, to be severely checked. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Buick’s guilty plea but also his actions had seriously compromised the safety and welfare of those horses and riders to his outside and had significantly impacted upon the chances of both WALDGEIST and RED VERDON in this race. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed that the appropriate penalty was for W Buick to be suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 17 December 2018 and to expire on Monday, 28 January 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (12 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, W Buick was fined $20,000. Approaching the 300 Metres, SALOUEN, which was commencing to give ground, was bumped by PAKISTAN STAR which was taken in by LYS GRACIEUX (J Moreira) which shifted in under pressure. J Moreira was severely reprimanded. Passing the 300 Metres, WALDGEIST was steadied when unable to proceed between ROSTROPOVICH which shifted in marginally and EAGLE WAY (S de Sousa) which shifted out when not properly clear. S de Sousa was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 200 Metres, LATROBE was awkwardly placed outside ROSTROPOVICH which shifted out marginally. Near the 150 Metres, EAGLE WAY was shifted in away from the heels of PAKISTAN STAR which drifted in under pressure. On two occasions after the 150 Metres, EXULTANT was bumped by LYS GRACIEUX (J Moreira) which shifted in. Then passing the 100 Metres, EXULTANT raced tight inside LYS GRACIEUX. J Moreira was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to straighten his mount. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that RED VERDON had sustained a wound to the outside of the left front cannon. A veterinary inspection of MIRAGE DANCER immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. WALDGEIST, EXULTANT and LYS GRACIEUX were sent for sampling.