12/03/2022  Shatin  Race 4

RIGHT AS RAIN began only fairly. TURQUOISE ALPHA shifted in on jumping and brushed WIN WIN FIGHTER. From wide barriers, LOTUS FAVORITES, SUPER ELEGANCE and RED ELYSEES were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. FLYING MIGHTY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1750 Metres, MR ALDAN, which was being aggressively ridden to obtain a forward position, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROBOT WARRIOR. R Maia (WIN WIN FIGHTER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance after the 1500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of EEVEE which resulted in EEVEE being crowded for room and taken in onto ROBOT WARRIOR, causing ROBOT WARRIOR to also be crowded for room and to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled passing the 1400 Metres and also causing EEVEE to be badly hampered. R Maia was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 24 April 2022 and to expire on Thursday, 28 April 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Maia was fined $45,000. In this incident, TAILOR MADE, which was racing to the inside of ROBOT WARRIOR, was hampered when crowded for room inside that horse. HANG’S DECISION, which was following ROBOT WARRIOR, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in TURQUOISE ALPHA being inconvenienced. After this, TURQUOISE ALPHA was shifted in away from the heels of HANG’S DECISION when awkwardly placed behind that horse. After the 1400 Metres, MR ALDAN was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve its position into the lead after the 1000 Metres. Passing the 1200 Metres, RED ELYSEES was awkwardly placed behind HANG’S DECISION and when travelling keenly was steadied away from the heels of ROBOT WARRIOR. RIGHT AS RAIN, which was following RED ELYSEES, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 600 Metres, TURQUOISE ALPHA was checked away from the heels of ROBOT WARRIOR. Approaching the 250 Metres, ROBOT WARRIOR was brushed by TURQUOISE ALPHA which shifted out in an attempt to improve between that horse and EEVEE. When unable to obtain clear running between EEVEE and ROBOT WARRIOR, TURQUOISE ALPHA was badly held up for clear running for the remainder of the race and because of this was not able to be tested. After the 200 Metres, LOTUS FAVORITES had some difficulty obtaining clear running and approaching the 100 Metres was shifted to the inside of SHANGHAI DRAGON to obtain clear running. Passing the 150 Metres, RED ELYSEES was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of EEVEE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHT AS RAIN, SHANGHAI DRAGON and LOTUS FAVORITES were sent for sampling.