16/06/2019  Shatin  Race 11

GRAND CHANCELLOR and COT CAMPBELL began awkwardly. HARMONY VICTORY shifted out at the start and made contact with ENRICHMENT. After this, HARMONY VICTORY and ENRICHMENT were steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. At the 1100 Metres, GOLD CHEST was steadied away from the heels of THINKIN’ BIG which was steadied to allow RIVET to cross. Approaching the 900 Metres, PARTY TOGETHER commenced to over-race and shifted out away from the heels of COT CAMPBELL and subsequently finished tailed out. The performance of PARTY TOGETHER was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PARTY TOGETHER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards questioned Apprentice K H Chan regarding his riding of RIVET in the early stages. Apprentice Chan stated that he had explicit instructions from the connections to lead on the horse as they considered RIVET’s best performance last season under the care of another trainer was when it was ridden in the lead by K Teetan. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode RIVET aggressively in the early stages including using the whip on several occasions as a number of runners, namely GOLD CHEST, LOBO’S LEGEND and THINKIN’ BIG were also ridden positively to his inside. He said after obtaining a length margin on THINKIN’ BIG at the 1200 Metres, he was obliged to press on into the lead to cross that horse, at which time he attempted to steady the pace. He said he was very mindful of the fact that the initial stages of the race had been run at a very fast tempo, however, he was endeavouring to carry out his instructions as best as he could. He added after CIRCUIT GLORY improved to the outside of RIVET approaching the 900 Metres, his mount would not initially settle and this resulted in the pace continuing to be strong until near the 800 Metres. Trainer C Fownes confirmed Apprentice Chan’s evidence and stated that the connections had felt that there was an opportunity to ride RIVET in a prominent position as it had been ridden when it finished second over the same course and distance last season. Apprentice Chan was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted his evidence and that he was riding to instructions, nonetheless he was told to ensure that he is mindful of the pace he is setting in races. When questioned regarding his riding of COT CAMPBELL passing and leaving the 1200 Metres, M F Poon stated that as he had not properly applied his goggles before the start, he directed COT CAMPBELL out away from behind NOT USUAL TALENT to avoid the kickback and so that he could safely put his goggles in place. He said he then shifted back in behind NOT USUAL TALENT to resume racing with cover behind that horse. M F Poon was told to be more professional in his preparation for a race. When questioned, J Moreira stated that in accordance with the horse’s normal racing pattern, he rode HEZTHEWONFORUS positively in the early stages to take up a forward position and after the 1100 Metres crossed LOBO’S LEGEND and then steadied his mount to allow CIRCUIT GLORY to cross his mount. He said due to the extremely fast pace in the early and middle stages, HEZTHEWONFORUS, which was second up from an extended break from racing and stepping up to 1600 Metres today, was one-paced and unable to close off the race over the final 200 Metres. A veterinary inspection of HEZTHEWONFORUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of THINKIN’ BIG and GOLD CHEST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEZTHEWONFORUS, NOT USUAL TALENT and GRAND CHANCELLOR were sent for sampling.