18/12/2021  Shatin  Race 10

BEAUTY SPIRIT was withdrawn on 17.12.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left front leg) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GOLDEN LINK (M F Poon). Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HELENE NORTH STAR began only fairly. GOLDEN LINK shifted out at the start and bumped CRAIG’S STAR. GREEN LASER shifted out on jumping and bumped CROSSFORD which was taken out onto LOOKING GREAT which in turn was crowded for room inside CAPTAIN WIN which shifted in. After this, CROSSFORD, LOOKING GREAT and CAPTAIN WIN were all shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages, PAKISTAN FRIEND failed to muster speed. Approaching the 1400 Metres, CRAIG’S STAR, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when racing tight between KYRUS UNICORN and INTREPID WINNER. Passing the 1400 Metres, CROSSFORD got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in CAPTAIN WIN being momentarily crowded for room between CROSSFORD and LOOKING GREAT which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CRAIG’S STAR. INTREPID WINNER lost its left front plate near the 1200 Metres. After the 1000 Metres, CAPTAIN WIN travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CROSSFORD which itself was racing close to the heels of INTREPID WINNER. After the 700 Metres, PAKISTAN FRIEND attempted to improve to the inside of XIANG YIN which shifted out marginally away from the heels of GOLDEN LINK. As PAKISTAN FRIEND attempted to establish tight running to the inside of XIANG YIN, XIANG YIN got its head on the side and lay in away from the heels of WIN WIN FIGHTER which was racing tight inside GREEN LASER, resulting in PAKISTAN FRIEND becoming unbalanced and losing ground. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was not sufficient room for PAKISTAN FRIEND to improve inside XIANG YIN at this time, no further action was taken. Near the 500 Metres, KYRUS UNICORN and INTREPID WINNER bumped. KYRUS UNICORN was then awkwardly placed behind WIN WIN FIGHTER and GREEN LASER rounding the Home Turn. C L Chau (CAPTAIN WIN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of CROSSFORD, causing that horse to be hampered and taken in onto CRAIG’S STAR which was also crowded for room outside INTREPID WINNER. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 17 January 2022 and to expire on Monday, 24 January 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The Stewards ruled that this penalty was to be served consecutively with the penalty incurred for breaching the careless riding Rule in Race 1 on today’s programme. In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $22,500. Throughout the race, GREEN LASER travelled wide and without cover. H Bentley (CRAIG’S STAR) stated that as the horse was stepping up in distance to 1600 Metres today, he was asked to ride it where it was comfortable and not to make use of his horse in the early stages to ensure that CRAIG’S STAR was able to see out the distance. He said he was specifically asked to attempt to bring CRAIG’S STAR to the outside of runners in the Straight. He said after being bumped by GOLDEN LINK on jumping, CRAIG’S STAR settled towards the rear of the field as he believed that to obtain a more forward position would have resulted in him having to ride the horse along in the early stages. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that upon return to the stables XIANG YIN was found to have sustained a wound to the right hind leg. A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN FRIEND immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. SOULMATE and GOLDEN LINK were sent for sampling.