06/02/2021  Shatin  Race 1

WINNING STRIKES shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of KWAI CHUNG ELITE, resulting in KWAI CHUNG ELITE becoming unbalanced and WINNING STRIKES also becoming unbalanced, shifting in and bumping DESTINE JEWELLERY. ANONYMA began very awkwardly and then got its head up in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover. CRUCIATUS bumped the outside of its stall on jumping and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along from a wide barrier, ALLOY STAR failed to muster speed and was shifted across behind runners after travelling a short distance. Shortly after the start, LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT and JIMSON THE DRAGON bumped, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. When racing tight outside JIMSON THE DRAGON, LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT was then steadied when crowded for room between that horse and DESTINE JEWELLERY which shifted in after being bumped by WINNING STRIKES. After being ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, LITTLE THUNDER was left racing wide and without cover and near the 1100 Metres was steadied to obtain a position closer to the rail. When being shifted across to obtain cover approaching the 1100 Metres, ANONYMA was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ALL BEST FRIENDS. For some distance in the early stages, WINNING STRIKES got its head up and travelled keenly when being steadied in an attempt to obtain a position with cover behind JIMSON THE DRAGON. WINNING STRIKES, when continuing to travel keenly, was crowded for room passing the 1000 Metres between MOON PEAKS and JIMSON THE DRAGON which got its head on the side and lay out. Making the turn near the 900 Metres, LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT was momentarily crowded for room inside KWAI CHUNG ELITE which shifted in away from WINNING STRIKES. H W Lai (MOON PEAKS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of WINNING STRIKES, causing that horse to be hampered when unnecessarily crowded for room. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 14 February 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 18 February 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Passing the 800 Metres, WINNING STRIKES was awkwardly placed behind MOON PEAKS which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. WINNING STRIKES lay out making the Home Turn. Passing the 250 Metres, KWAI CHUNG ELITE was crowded for room between MOON PEAKS and JIMSON THE DRAGON (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted out. In this incident, KWAI CHUNG ELITE bumped the hindquarters of MOON PEAKS which became unbalanced. Apprentice Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes more effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Passing the 100 Metres, CRUCIATUS was checked when crowded for room between KWAI CHUNG ELITE and ALLOY STAR (M Chadwick) which got its head on the side and shifted in away from LITTLE THUNDER. As the Stewards were satisfied that Jockey Chadwick had reacted to his mount shifting ground in a timely manner, no direct action was taken, nonetheless he was told to ensure that he stops riding and straightens his mounts at the earliest available opportunity to prevent causing interference to other runners. Close to the finishing line, ALLOY STAR was awkwardly placed behind DESTINE JEWELLERY and LITTLE THUNDER and consequently was not able to be fully ridden all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau stated that he was asked to have MONEYMORE travelling where it was comfortable and not to make use of the horse in the early stages. He said it was felt that from the inside barrier MONEYMORE would be able to obtain a position behind the speed. He explained MONEYMORE began very well and showed early speed to be in a forward position without having to be ridden along. He added he anticipated that horses from the outside would cross MONEYMORE and provide him with cover, however, when JIMSON THE DRAGON was not able to show sufficient speed to cross MONEYMORE, rather than restrain his mount, he allowed MONEYMORE to maintain its position inside JIMSON THE DRAGON. He also said that whilst he formed the opinion that the horse may be better suited with cover, the circumstances of today’s race in the early stages resulted in it maintaining its running inside JIMSON THE DRAGON rather than him being able to take a trailing position behind that horse. A veterinary inspection of WINNING STRIKES and JIMSON THE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DESTINE JEWELLERY and LITTLE THUNDER were sent for sampling.