24/03/2019  Shatin  Race 6

CAO CAO began only fairly. LASTING FRIENDSHIP shifted out at the start and bumped SEVEN HEAVENS. C Y Ho, the rider of VERY LUCKY, reported that his saddle shifted back shortly after the start, causing him some inconvenience for the remainder of the race. Near the 450 Metres, CAO CAO was shifted to the inside of SEVEN HEAVENS. Also near the 450 Metres, GOKO and UTOPIA LIFE brushed. Then approaching the 300 Metres, UTOPIA LIFE and GOKO bumped as a result of both horses shifting ground. MULTIMILLION got its head on the side and lay out after the 200 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, UTOPIA LIFE and MULTIMILLION raced tight. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident had occurred near the 150 Metres which cast doubt on whether UTOPIA LIFE (S de Sousa) should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently M Harley, the rider of SEVEN HEAVENS, 4th placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against UTOPIA LIFE being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount near the 150 Metres. After taking evidence from all the parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was found that passing the 200 Metres SEVEN HEAVENS was shifted to the inside of MULTIMILLION to improve into running which was available between that horse and UTOPIA LIFE. It was also found that near the 175 Metres SEVEN HEAVENS improved quickly to be racing inside the heels of UTOPIA LIFE and approaching the 150 Metres had established running between that horse and MULTIMILLION which was laying out. It was further established that near the 150 Metres UTOPIA LIFE shifted out under pressure when not clear of SEVEN HEAVENS, resulting in that horse being denied the opportunity to continue to improve into the run between UTOPIA LIFE and MULTIMILLION which resulted in SEVEN HEAVENS being checked after the 150 Metres when forced onto the heels of MULTIMILLION. The Stewards found that after being checked SEVEN HEAVENS then finished off the race strongly over the concluding stages. As the Stewards were satisfied that SEVEN HEAVENS had established running between UTOPIA LIFE and MULTIMILLION and that SEVEN HEAVENS lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled as a result of UTOPIA LIFE shifting out; and also having regard to the manner in which the two horses were finishing off their races, they were satisfied that if not for UTOPIA LIFE shifting out and causing interference to SEVEN HEAVENS, SEVEN HEAVENS would have finished in front of UTOPIA LIFE. Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No. 9, MULTIMILLION, 1st; No. 12, GOKO, 2nd; No. 1, SEVEN HEAVENS, 3rd; and No. 5, UTOPIA LIFE, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, S de Sousa was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of SEVEN HEAVENS, resulting in that horse being taken out onto the heels of MULTIMILLION and causing SEVEN HEAVENS to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. S de Sousa was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 3 April 2019 and to expire on Monday, 8 April 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey de Sousa’s good race riding record. After the race, Z Purton stated that after travelling well in the early and middle stages BEST SENSE came under heavy pressure at the 300 Metres. He said BEST SENSE gave ground abruptly from the 200 Metres and became badly unbalanced in its action. He said he immediately had concerns regarding the welfare of the horse and therefore eased it down from the 150 Metres at which stage BEST SENSE was well beaten. A veterinary inspection of BEST SENSE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. In the circumstances, the Stewards ruled that BEST SENSE must perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. Also after the race, J Moreira stated that HAPPY VICTORY was disappointing as the horse did not travel well throughout the event and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. UTOPIA LIFE, MULTIMILLION and GOKO were sent for sampling.