07/05/2022  Shatin  Race 2

FLASH FAMOUS and JOY MASTER began only fairly. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE and JUBILATION bumped at the start, resulting in JUBILATION becoming unbalanced. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was then crowded for room between JUBILATION and ANONYMA a short distance after the start. After this, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE and JUBILATION were shifted across behind runners from wide barriers. WAH MAY LUCK began awkwardly and shortly after the start shifted in and inconvenienced INCREDIBLE. H W Lai (MOON PEAKS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1400 Metres he directed his mount in at such an angle that that horse was not able to be corrected in a timely manner which resulted in MOON PEAKS shifting in passing the 1400 Metres and causing WAH MAY LUCK to be taken in onto INCREDIBLE, resulting in INCREDIBLE, which was hampered, shifting in across the rightful running of SEIZE THE SPIRIT which was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 18 May 2022 and to expire on Monday, 23 May 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Near the 800 Metres, WAH MAY LUCK was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MISTER MONTE when being crossed by that horse. Rounding the Home Turn, JOY MASTER was awkwardly placed outside DAILY BEAUTY which shifted out. Near the 150 Metres, FLASH FAMOUS improved into tight running between WAH MAY LUCK and INCREDIBLE. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SEIZE THE SPIRIT, Z Purton stated that after meeting interference near the 1400 Metres, SEIZE THE SPIRIT did not travel well and he had to ask his mount in the middle stages to maintain its position. He said after the 600 Metres he placed SEIZE THE SPIRIT under heavy pressure to improve, however, the horse did not quicken and after being placed under heavy pressure in the early part of the Straight the horse’s action deteriorated and SEIZE THE SPIRIT commenced to give ground passing the 200 Metres. He added that because he was concerned with the manner in which SEIZE THE SPIRIT shortened stride, he eased the horse down over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SEIZE THE SPIRIT immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer”. The performance of SEIZE THE SPIRIT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SEIZE THE SPIRIT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of INCREDIBLE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer”. SEIZE THE SPIRIT, VUKAN and DAILY BEAUTY were sent for sampling.