01/01/2020  Shatin  Race 4

LEAP OF FAITH was crowded for room at the start between WITNESS HUNTER and STARSHIP which shifted in. PARTY EVERYDAY began only fairly and then shifted out abruptly at the start and bumped the hindquarters of SPIRIT PATCH, causing PARTY EVERYDAY to lose ground and SPIRIT PATCH to become unbalanced. From the outside barrier, SAVVY SEVEN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Shortly after the start, PARTY EVERYDAY commenced to travel keenly and got its head up on a number of occasions and near the 1300 Metres shifted out across the heels of VILLA FIONN. When being steadied to obtain cover approaching and passing the 1300 Metres, SHANGHAI DRAGON got its head up and travelled keenly. Near the 1200 Metres, TOUCH OF FAITH was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 550 Metres, WOOD ON FIRE and LEAP OF FAITH raced tight as LEAP OF FAITH improved to the outside of WITNESS HUNTER. Z Purton (LEAP OF FAITH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn he directed his mount out when not clear of WOOD ON FIRE, resulting in LEAP OF FAITH bumping WOOD ON FIRE and causing that horse to become unbalanced and shift out across the running of STARSHIP which was checked out away from the heels of WOOD ON FIRE, shifted out and in turn inconvenienced TOUCH OF FAITH. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 11 January 2020 and to expire on Thursday, 16 January 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Purton’s good race riding record. WITNESS HUNTER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 300 Metres, SAVVY SEVEN and WITNESS HUNTER raced tight as SAVVY SEVEN improved into tight running between SMILING SUCCESS and WITNESS HUNTER which was taken in by SHANGHAI DRAGON. SAVVY SEVEN and WITNESS HUNTER then continued to race tight and passing the 200 Metres SAVVY SEVEN was bumped by WITNESS HUNTER which received contact from SHANGHAI DRAGON which, when commencing to give ground, shifted in. PARTY EVERYDAY lost its right front plate after the race. A veterinary inspection of JOY MASTER 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 SHANGHAI DRAGON immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SHANGHAI DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STARSHIP and LEAP OF FAITH were sent for sampling.