23/12/2020  Happy Valley  Race 9

SHINING GEM was slow to begin. GUNNISON shifted in at the start, resulting in MEGA HEART being crowded onto RACING FIGHTER and losing ground. From the outside barrier, JOYFUL UNION was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. EXPLOSIVE WITNESS got its head up and raced ungenerously when being steadied approaching the 1000 Metres. GUNNISON also raced ungenerously rounding the first turn when being steadied. EXPLOSIVE WITNESS again got its head up and shifted out off the heels of LARSON at the 750 Metres, causing JOYFUL UNION to be hampered. M Chadwick (CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 550 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, initiating contact with GOLDEN DASH and that from that stage of the race he positioned his mount to be racing unnecessarily tight outside GOLDEN DASH and shifting in to a point where that horse was crowded, became badly unbalanced and lost ground at the 450 Metres. As a consequence, SHINING GEM was severely checked away from the heels of GOLDEN DASH as it lost ground. HONG KONG WIN, which was following SHINING GEM, was obliged to shift out away from the heels of that horse and was inconvenienced. Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 13 January 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 21 January 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Chadwick was fined $20,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account the severity of the interference sustained by both GOLDEN DASH and SHINING GEM. Passing the 50 Metres, GOLDEN DASH shifted out away from the heels of CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT which shifted in away from CLASSIC UNICORN which shifted in under pressure. Over the concluding stages, both HONG KONG WIN and GOLDEN DASH raced close to the heels of CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and CLASSIC UNICORN respectively and as a consequence were not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. Throughout the race, RACING FIGHTER travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SHINING GEM immediately following the race found that horse to be galloped on the right front fetlock. Before being allowed to race again, SHINING GEM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EXPLOSIVE WITNESS and RACING FIGHTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT and WILL POWER were sent for sampling.