01/10/2020  Shatin  Race 8

After being loaded into the barriers, LUCKY TURBO sat back, resulting in the back gates opening and LUCKY TURBO backing from the barrier stalls. LUCKY TURBO was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that the horse was suitable to race. LUCKY TURBO shifted out at the start and brushed MY FAMILY. ALLOY STAR was crowded for room on jumping between SEAWEED FORTUNE which began only fairly and CARE FREE PRINCE which shifted in when racing tight inside MIGHTY POWER. From the outside barrier, HANG’S DECISION was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. Passing the 1200 Metres, ALLOY STAR raced tight between SEAWEED FORTUNE and MY FAMILY which shifted in. Approaching the 1000 Metres, SEAWEED FORTUNE was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY TURBO which shifted in. LUCKY TURBO made the turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly and shifted out and in doing so raced tight with MY FAMILY. Approaching the 900 Metres, SUMSTREETSUMWHERE commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER KIN. C Schofield (MIGHTY POWER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 300 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of VIGOR CHAMP, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and also causing SUPER KIN to be hampered. C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 21 October 2020 and to expire on Sunday, 25 October 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Schofield was fined $25,000. Passing the 300 Metres, ALLOY STAR was directed out away from the heels of SEAWEED FORTUNE which got its head on the side and lay out. In the Straight, ANGEL OF MY EYES lay in. M F Poon stated that it was intended for VIGOR CHAMP to be ridden in about a midfield position from the wide barrier. He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages to clear runners to his inside, he commenced to steady VIGOR CHAMP near the 1350 Metres to obtain a position with cover to be initially behind MIGHTY POWER and CARE FREE PRINCE which were being ridden to obtain a forward position. He said near the 1200 Metres he cleared MY FAMILY to his inside but was left racing in a four wide position outside ANGEL OF MY EYES. He said as LUCKY TURBO was following that horse, he was not able to obtain a trailing position ANGEL OF MY EYES and near the 1100 Metres was left racing three wide and without cover when MIGHTY POWER shifted in to a one-off position outside CARE FREE PRINCE. He added rather than remain wide and without cover, he allowed his mount to improve its position forward of MIGHTY POWER to race outside the lead near the 800 Metres. He said the circumstances of the race in the initial stages resulted in VIGOR CHAMP being ridden more prominently today. H T Mo (MY FAMILY) explained that, from barrier 4, he was asked to utilize the good barrier and obtain a trailing position with cover behind the leaders if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode MY FAMILY positively in the early stages, however, LUCKY TURBO was able to comfortably maintain its position to the inside of MY FAMILY without having to be ridden along. He said as MY FAMILY was not showing sufficient speed to be able to cross LUCKY TURBO, he then elected to steady his mount and obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He said as he was doing this, ALLOY STAR and SEAWEED FORTUNE were able to improve their position inside MY FAMILY which meant that he was not able to shift in behind LUCKY TURBO. He added these circumstances resulted in MY FAMILY racing further back in the field than had been intended and for the horse to be left racing wide and without cover near the 800 Metres. A veterinary inspection of HANG’S DECISION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUMSTREETSUMWHERE, ANGEL OF MY EYES and MIGHTY POWER were sent for sampling.