21/09/2019  Shatin  Race 5

CENTRAL EXPRESS was slow to begin. BLASTOISE and SOLAR BILLION were crowded for room on jumping between PEARL CHAMPION and MASTER ROMAN, both of which shifted ground. From a wide barrier, GODSPEED was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. A Sanna (CASIMIRO) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SMILING SUCCESS, resulting in that horse being hampered when checked away from the heels of CASIMIRO. A Sanna was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 9 October 2019 and to expire on Sunday, 13 October 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Sanna’s good race riding record. After the 1100 Metres, VOYAGE KING commenced to travel keenly and shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CASIMIRO and in doing so shifted in and bumped EMERALD SPUR. After this, VOYAGE KING continued to travel keenly. Approaching the 1000 Metres, PEARL CHAMPION shifted out away from the heels of SMILING SUCCESS which was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. When PEARL CHAMPION shifted out, MASTER ROMAN was inconvenienced and taken wider. After this, PEARL CHAMPION travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 950 Metres, FALCON TURBO and SMILING SUCCESS raced tight due to SMILING SUCCESS shifting in. Near the 850 Metres, BLASTOISE improved into tight running inside SMILING SUCCESS which came under pressure. Rounding the Home Turn, PEARL CHAMPION raced tight outside FALCON TURBO which, when shifting to the outside of VOYAGE KING, was awkwardly placed near the heels of that horse. At the 400 Metres, EMERALD SPUR was shifted in away from the heels of CASIMIRO to obtain clear running. Near the 250 Metres, CASIMIRO was steadied away from the heels of EMERALD SPUR (G van Niekerk) which shifted out. G van Niekerk was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. C Y Ho (FALCON TURBO) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of PEARL CHAMPION, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Tuesday, 1 October 2019 and to expire on Monday, 7 October 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Ho’s good race riding record. Close to the finishing line, STARSHIP was awkwardly placed outside FALCON TURBO which shifted out away from EMERALD SPUR. Because of this, STARSHIP was not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on VOYAGE KING at the request of Trainer F C Lor. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, VOYAGE KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SUNSHINE WARRIOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EMERALD SPUR and FALCON TURBO were sent for sampling.