04/11/2020  Shatin  Race 2

PROUD SKY was checked on jumping when crowded for room between SMART THINKER and SHINEALOT which shifted out abruptly. In this incident, SMART THINKER became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by PROUD SKY. DRAGON COMMANDER began awkwardly and then lost ground when crowded for room between JOYFUL CHEERS and CHARITYDREAM which shifted out. SWEETLY BABY and FORTUNE BUDDY bumped at the start. Passing the 1450 Metres, DRAGON COMMANDER and SHINEALOT made contact as a result of both horses shifting ground. After this, SHINEALOT raced tight between TURF BRILLIANT and DRAGON COMMANDER which shifted in when unbalanced. This resulted in TURF BRILLIANT also becoming unbalanced passing the 1400 Metres. Near the 1200 Metres, SACRED TIMING was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1200 Metres, JOY AVENUE was crowded for room inside JOYFUL CHEERS which got its head on the side and lay in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GO BALLISTIC. Approaching the 900 Metres, SMART THINKER and DRAGON COMMANDER raced tight. After the 900 Metres, SACRED TIMING was inconvenienced by JOYFUL CHEERS which shifted out. After the 600 Metres, PROUD SKY raced tight outside TURF BRILLIANT which shifted out. C Y Ho (SWEETLY BABY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 400 Metres he directed his mount out when not clear of TURF BRILLIANT, 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 Wednesday, 25 November 2020 and to expire on Monday, 30 November 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Ho was fined $30,000. The performances of BREAK RECORD, JOYFUL CHEERS and JOY AVENUE, all of which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BREAK RECORD, JOYFUL CHEERS and JOY AVENUE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BREAK RECORD, JOYFUL CHEERS and JOY AVENUE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of SMART THINKER, Z Purton stated that after obtaining a good position in the early stages SMART THINKER came off the bridle after the 1000 Metres. He said because the horse was not travelling well, he attempted to shift out to race behind SACRED TIMING near the 800 Metres, however, SMART THINKER was not travelling well enough to improve its position behind that horse and when JOYFUL CHEERS shifted out to the inside of SACRED TIMING, he was required to maintain his position. He said SMART THINKER did not travel well after this and after coming under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn then gave ground noticeably in the early part of the Straight to finish at the rear of the field. He added whilst SMART THINKER had trialed well for him on the All Weather surface at the commencement of the season, he felt that the track on that occasion was much drier than the surface this evening. A veterinary inspection of SMART THINKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SMART THINKER, favourite for tonight’s race and which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMART THINKER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GO BALLISTIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SMART THINKER, SWEETLY BABY and SHINEALOT were sent for sampling.