07/04/2019  Shatin  Race 10

On Thursday, 4 April 2019, the Stewards heard a complaint lodged by N Callan that he was rightfully engaged as the rider of UNCLE STEVE but had not been declared on that horse. Also interviewed was Mr J Moore, the trainer of UNCLE STEVE. The owners of UNCLE STEVE were not able to be present at the hearing with Mr Moore, under an authority to act, representing their interests. At the time of declaration, K C Leung was declared as the rider of UNCLE STEVE. After hearing evidence from both N Callan and Mr Moore, the Stewards were satisfied that N Callan had been properly engaged to ride UNCLE STEVE in this race and that subsequent to being engaged the owners of that horse had elected to engage the services of K C Leung. The Stewards ruled that as K C Leung had been declared to ride UNCLE STEVE, he would fulfil that engagement, however, N Callan was to be paid a winning and/or losing riding fee/percentage, depending on UNCLE STEVE’s finishing position in the race. As the owners of UNCLE STEVE were not able to be present, they were advised that they had until midday on Sunday, 7 April 2019 to make representations to the Stewards in respect of this matter. The owners advised the Stewards on Saturday, 6 April 2019 that they accepted the ruling of the Stewards. TRIUMPHANT HORSE began awkwardly. PAKISTAN FRIEND began only fairly and then, despite being ridden along in the early stages, failed to muster speed. From wide barriers, CONFUCIUS DAY, CIRCUIT HASSLER and THE ONE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON commenced to travel keenly, shifted in abruptly away from the heels of COMFORT LIFE and became awkwardly placed close to the heels of INVINCIBLE MISSILE. After this, PRANCE DRAGON continued to travel keenly and was left racing wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. Approaching the 1000 Metres, CONFUCIUS DAY was awkwardly placed outside PRANCE DRAGON. Rounding the Home Turn, CONFUCIUS DAY got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of THE ONE. After improving into tight running inside PRANCE DRAGON, NOBLE STEED was taken in marginally by that horse approaching the 200 Metres, resulting in TRIUMPHANT HORSE being steadied away from the heels of PRANCE DRAGON. Near the 150 Metres, as NOBLE STEED improved to the outside of COMFORT LIFE (Apprentice K H Chan), COMFORT LIFE shifted out, resulting in NOBLE STEED brushing INVINCIBLE MISSILE. COMFORT LIFE continued to shift out under pressure and inconvenienced NOBLE STEED until near the 50 Metres. Apprentice Chan was reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts rather than continuing to allow them to shift out under pressure. Approaching and passing the 150 Metres, WINNING ENDEAVOUR was steadied away from the heels of MAGNIFICENT which was giving ground. Throughout the race, THE ONE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN FRIEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NOBLE STEED and CRAIG’S STAR were sent for sampling.