01/03/2020  Shatin  Race 9

On arrival at the Start, Apprentice K H Chan expressed concern regarding the action of ENDEARING. A veterinary examination of ENDEARING did not reveal any significant findings and after the necessary consultations the horse was found to be suitable to race. PRECISE EXPRESS began only fairly and then was crowded for room between AMAZING LUCK and BEAUTY LOYAL which shifted out away from ULTIMATE GLORY. In this incident, AMAZING LUCK became unbalanced and then raced tight inside JOYFUL HEART which shifted in marginally. Near the 1350 Metres, ENDEARING, which was being ridden along, was momentarily eased away from the heels of TOP SCORE (M F Poon) which shifted in when not quite clear. M F Poon was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. Apprentice K H Chan (ENDEARING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after being crossed by TOP SCORE in the early stages, when riding his mount along, he permitted ENDEARING to shift in approaching the 1300 Metres when not clear of ZHAN JIANG ROCKS, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Chan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 18 March 2020 and to expire on Monday 23 March 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Chan was fined $15,000. Near the 1300 Metres, PICKEN was momentarily steadied away from the heels of GOOD FOR YOU which got its head on the side and shifted in away from TOP SCORE. Despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, ENDEARING failed to muster speed and passing the 1200 Metres was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY. ENDEARING was then left racing wide and without cover passing the 1100 Metres. When being steadied to obtain cover approaching the 1200 Metres, JOYFUL HEART proved difficult to settle and got its head up for some distance. Near the 650 Metres, PRECISE EXPRESS was steadied away from the heels of MARVEL DRAGON. ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was badly held up for clear running from passing the 350 Metres until near the 200 Metres. Near the 250 Metres, PRECISE EXPRESS, which was closing off the race, was shifted in away from the heels of ZHAN JIANG ROCKS. PRECISE EXPRESS was then held up for clear running after the 100 Metres and approaching the 50 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of BEAUTY LOYAL which was giving ground. Near the 50 Metres, ZHAN JIANG ROCKS was shifted in away from the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY to continue improving. Close to the finishing line, PRECISE EXPRESS raced close to the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY and consequently was not ridden out to the end of the race. Throughout the race, AMAZING LUCK travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of FARHH ABOVE, A Badel stated that after his mount began only fairly, he was able to obtain a position just worse than midfield after racing tight inside ZHAN JIANG ROCKS near the 1300 Metres. He said he was happy with the way that FARHH ABOVE travelled in the middle stages as although the horse raced wide outside ULTIMATE GLORY, FARHH ABOVE had cover at all times behind ENDEARING. He said FARHH ABOVE travelled keenly in the early and middle stages, however, he believed that the horse would still finish off the race in the Straight. He said rounding the Home Turn he shifted FARHH ABOVE to the outside of ENDEARING and he was able to obtain clear running prior to the 400 Metres. He said he became concerned with the manner in which FARHH ABOVE was finishing off the race near the 300 Metres as the horse did not quicken as he had seen the horse doing in the past. He added FARHH ABOVE was particularly disappointing as it did not finish off the race strongly thereafter. He said although FARHH ABOVE was inclined to travel keenly, this was not the reason for the horse’s disappointing performance as it did not quicken at any stage of the race. A veterinary inspection of FARHH ABOVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FARHH ABOVE, short-priced favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FARHH ABOVE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. L Hewitson reported that PRANCE DRAGON made a significant respiratory noise after the race. A veterinary inspection of PRANCE DRAGON immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, PRANCE DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of ENDEARING and BEAUTY LOYAL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FARHH ABOVE, TOP SCORE and PICKEN were sent for sampling.