07/05/2022  Shatin  Race 5

From the outside barriers, MAKE IT TURBO, DRAGON COMMANDER, TURQUOISE ALPHA and RIGHT AS RAIN were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1500 Metres, BARON ZEE raced tight between TOYCOON and SUPER HONG KONG which shifted out. At the 1350 Metres, JOYFUL HEART shifted out abruptly away from the heels of BARON ZEE and in doing so bumped DAILY CHARM which became unbalanced. DAILY CHARM was then left racing wide and without cover and after the 1300 Metres was ridden along to improve its position, however continued to race very wide and without cover throughout. JOYFUL HEART was also left racing wide and without cover at this time. After the 1100 Metres, RED ELYSEES was checked away from the heels of BARON ZEE. MAKE IT TURBO, which was following RED ELYSEES, was shifted out from behind that horse, resulting in TURQUOISE ALPHA being inconvenienced. After the 500 Metres, RIGHT AS RAIN and RED ELYSEES raced tight as RIGHT AS RAIN attempted to improve to the outside of DAILY CHARM. Then near the 400 Metres, RIGHT AS RAIN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DAILY CHARM when continuing to attempt to improve into restricted room between those horses. RIGHT AS RAIN then continued to race close to the heels of DAILY CHARM until passing the 350 Metres. For some distance after the 400 Metres, EEVEE raced tight when attempting to improve into restricted running inside PAKISTAN FRIEND which, after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHANGHAI DRAGON rounding the Home Turn, then shifted in marginally. This resulted in EEVEE being steadied near the 350 Metres when initially disappointed for running inside PAKISTAN FRIEND. Then approaching the 200 Metres, EEVEE was momentarily steadied when improving into tight running between SHANGHAI DRAGON which was giving ground and PAKISTAN FRIEND which shifted in marginally. J Moreira (RED ELYSEES) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of RIGHT AS RAIN, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. J Moreira was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday 15 May 2022 and to expire on Thursday, 19 May 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Moreira’s good race riding record. After the race, M F Poon stated that as the start was effected SHANGHAI DRAGON reared which resulted in the horse beginning only fairly. He said he then rode his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to make up lost ground which resulted in him having to make some use of the horse. He said after obtaining the lead near the 1600 Metres SHANGHAI DRAGON travelled only fairly and then after coming under pressure rounding the Home Turn did not finish the race off. He added that, in his opinion, today’s disappointing performance was attributable to the manner in which the horse began. A veterinary inspection of SHANGHAI DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RIGHT AS RAIN, RED ELYSEES and BORN THE SAME DAY were sent for sampling.