02/02/2020  Shatin  Race 6

On arrival at the Start, C Y Ho expressed concern regarding the action of TANG FLEMING. An examination of TANG FLEMING by the Veterinary Officer found that horse to have a mildly irregular action in its right hind leg but within an acceptable range. As C Y Ho did not wish to ride TANG FLEMING due to its action, that horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, TANG FLEMING will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KA YING BRILLIANCE, which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly. MEGATRON shifted out at the start and bumped DRAGON COMMANDER. DREAM WARRIORS began only fairly. From wide barriers, WILLIE WAY and THIS ONE’S FOR YOU were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being hard ridden for a considerable distance in the early stages, MISTER MONTE failed to muster speed, raced back in the field and subsequently travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race. J Moreira (FOODIE PRINCESS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, causing that horse to be directed in onto MISTER MONTE and KELMIMI WINS, resulting in both horses being unnecessarily crowded for room and for KELMIMI WINS to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. J Moreira was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 February 2020 and to expire on Monday, 2 March 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Moreira’s good race riding record. K C Leung (WILLIE WAY) was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip on a horse out of contention. After the race, N Callan reported that DRAGON COMMANDER raced "flat” and did not finish off the race as it had done previously when ridden by him. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON COMMANDER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. FOODIE PRINCESS and MEGATRON were sent for sampling.