05/09/2021  Shatin  Race 5

UNIVERSAL CROWN, which was noted to have blood in its mouth in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and found to be suitable to race. SPEEDY DRAGON began only fairly. VECTOR began only fairly and then shortly after the start lost ground when crowded for room between LUCKY PUZZLE which shifted in after being bumped by DAY DAY RICH and ZACIAN which was bumped by SUNNY SMILE. In this incident, LUCKY PUZZLE became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by VECTOR. From the outside barriers, CENTENARY IBIS and ONE STEP AHEAD were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1150 Metres, MANY GAINS was bumped by SPEEDY DRAGON which got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 1100 Metres, LUCKY PUZZLE, which was being shifted across behind runners to obtain cover, got its head up when awkwardly placed outside the heels of ZACIAN. R Maia (LUCKY MARYKNOLL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of KWAI CHUNG ELITE, resulting in that horse being taken in onto SPEEDY DRAGON which was in turn taken in onto MANY GAINS which lost its running passing the 1000 Metres when unnecessarily crowded for room between SPEEDY DRAGON and UNIVERSAL CROWN. R Maia was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 22 September 2021 and to expire on Monday, 27 September 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Maia was fined $10,000. Passing the 900 Metres, ZACIAN commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of KWAI CHUNG ELITE which was being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover. In this incident, ZACIAN shifted in and bumped MANY GAINS which was taken in, resulting in VECTOR being inconvenienced. SUNNY SMILE, which was following ZACIAN, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. LUCKY PUZZLE, which was also following ZACIAN, was hampered and shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in CENTENARY IBIS being taken wider. Rounding the Home Turn, ONE STEP AHEAD was awkwardly placed behind VECTOR. ONE STEP AHEAD was then shifted to the inside of VECTOR at the entrance to the Straight when disappointed for running between that horse and KWAI CHUNG ELITE. UNIVERSAL CROWN had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the 400 Metres, SUNNY SMILE was eased away from the heels of ONE STEP AHEAD (J Moreira) which shifted in. J Moreira was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Approaching the 200 Metres, UNIVERSAL CROWN was awkwardly placed behind DAY DAY RICH after being disappointed for running between that horse and ONE STEP AHEAD. Then passing the 200 Metres, UNIVERSAL CROWN was directed to the inside of DAY DAY RICH to obtain clear running. UNIVERSAL CROWN then raced tight inside the heels of DAY DAY RICH passing the 150 Metres when that horse shifted in marginally under pressure. Throughout the race, FOX CHEUNGER travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of ZACIAN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ZACIAN, LUCKY MARYKNOLL and SPEEDY DRAGON were sent for sampling.