25/09/2022  Shatin  Race 5

KARUIZAWA was withdrawn on 23.9.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter SEATOSKY (M F Poon). HAPPY LAND was withdrawn on 24.9.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (heart irregularity). THE HULK was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Before being allowed to race again, KARUIZAWA and THE HULK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination whilst HAPPY LAND will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. QUORUM began awkwardly and after travelling a short distance was crowded for room between SEATOSKY and JACK WIN, both of which shifted ground. STUNNING IMPACT shifted out at the start and bumped ALL IS GOOD, causing both horses to become unbalanced. GENERAL WINNER shifted in at the start and bumped HAPPY DAILY. HAPPY DAILY was then tightened for room between GENERAL WINNER and FIRE BALL which became unbalanced as a result of being bumped by HAPPY DAILY. When FIRE BALL was bumped, it shifted in and crowded GREAT BRILLIANT a short distance after the start. After this, from the outside barriers, HAPPY DAILY and GENERAL WINNER together with STAR CONTACT were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the entrance to the Straight, QUORUM was awkwardly placed when disappointed for running between STUNNING IMPACT and CIRCUIT MIGHTY. QUORUM was then shifted out away from the heels of STUNNING IMPACT after the 300 Metres. HAPPY DAILY was held up for clear running from approaching the 300 Metres until passing the 250 Metres. L Ferraris (ALL IS GOOD) was found guilty of 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 HAPPY DAILY, causing that horse to be hampered when unnecessarily crowded for room and taken in across the rightful running of CIRCUIT MIGHTY which had to be checked. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for L Ferraris’ licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 19 October 2022 and to expire on Monday, 24 October 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Ferraris’ good race riding record. In this incident, STUNNING IMPACT was bumped on the hindquarters by CIRCUIT MIGHTY. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL CAMPBELL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STUNNING IMPACT, STAR CONTACT and HAPPY DAILY were sent for sampling.