02/03/2019  Shatin  Race 3

When being paraded, HURRICANE HUNTER got away from its handler for a short time before being recaptured without incident. COURAGEOUS DRAGON shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of WIN WIN which became unbalanced. POSITIVELY HIGH shifted out at the start and inconvenienced MONICA. From wide barriers, TRIUMPHANT LORD and HURRICANE HUNTER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance after the 1300 Metres, COURAGEOUS DRAGON proved difficult to settle. W M Lai (DATING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1100 Metres and again passing the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of TRIUMPHANT LORD, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled after the 1000 Metres. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 20 March 2019 and to expire on Sunday, 24 March 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). DATING lost its left hind plate near the 1100 Metres. Passing the 1100 Metres, WIN WIN again became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by NITRO EXPRESS which was racing in restricted room between WIN WIN and MONICA. WIN WIN was then left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, COURAGEOUS DRAGON was awkwardly placed behind GOLDEN MISSION. After the 300 Metres, EZRA was held up for clear running behind DRAGON DANCE and near the 150 Metres was shifted to the outside of that horse after being disappointed for a run inside DRAGON DANCE. DESTIN was held up for clear running from the 300 Metres until passing the 100 Metres and consequently was not able to be properly tested. When questioned, K Teetan (EZRA) stated that rounding the Home Turn he was able to improve his position inside CARE FREE PRINCE when that horse shifted away from the rail and was able to make up good ground at this time. He said passing the 350 Metres DRAGON DANCE was racing away from the rail and whilst there was not room for a full horse to improve to the inside of DRAGON DANCE, he felt that running would become available inside that horse and as CARE FREE PRINCE was racing directly to the outside of EZRA, he considered that the best option to obtain clear running was to pursue a run inside DRAGON DANCE. He said approaching and passing the 300 Metres DRAGON DANCE raced about three quarters of a horse away from the rail and therefore it would not have taken much of a shift outwards from DRAGON DANCE for EZRA to establish its position inside that horse. He said at this time CARE FREE PRINCE continued to race to the outside of EZRA and inside POSITIVELY HIGH, so he was not of the view that there was a run available to the outside of DRAGON DANCE. He added he continued to pursue the run inside DRAGON DANCE, however, that horse did not shift out as anticipated, but for some distance approaching the 200 Metres he was committed inside the heels of that horse. He said as he was attempting to obtain tight running inside DRAGON DANCE, he was unaware that CARE FREE PRINCE had drifted out under pressure and that a run had developed outside DRAGON DANCE just prior to the 200 Metres. He said when it was no longer available for him to continue pursuing the run inside DRAGON DANCE and as he was aware that the run to that horse’s outside had become available, he directed EZRA to the outside of DRAGON DANCE approaching the 150 Metres to obtain clear running. After the race, S de Sousa expressed concern regarding the action of COURAGEOUS DRAGON. A veterinary inspection of COURAGEOUS DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, COURAGEOUS DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WIN WIN and HURRICANE HUNTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DRAGON DANCE had sustained multiple superficial abrasions to the right hind leg. HURRICANE HUNTER, DRAGON DANCE and EZRA were sent for sampling.