15/01/2023  Shatin  Race 7

After being loaded into the barriers, SAVVY DELIGHT became fractious, reared and got its left front leg over the front gates for some time. SAVVY DELIGHT was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion the horse was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, SAVVY DELIGHT was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, SAVVY DELIGHT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, VICTORY MOMENTS got its head up and consequently was slow to begin. KA YING SPIRIT shifted out at the start and bumped LUCKY FUN which was then crowded for room inside QUADRUPLE DOUBLE. HAPPY MISSION began only fairly and then shortly after the start stumbled when badly crowded for room between SCOTCH TYCOON which was taken out by EQUALETTA BLITZ which shifted out despite the efforts of its rider and EIGHT TRIGRAMS which was taken in by TAJ DRAGON which, after being bumped by WE ARE HERO on jumping, shifted in away from that horse. Passing the 800 Metres, HAPPY MISSION commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when racing in restricted room between TAJ DRAGON and SCOTCH TYCOON. HAPPY MISSION then got its head up near the 650 Metres when racing close to the heels of TAJ DRAGON. After the 700 Metres, KA YING SPIRIT commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when racing close to the heels of PLEASANT ENDEAVOR. VICTORY MOMENTS travelled keenly after the 600 Metres and was awkwardly placed behind QUADRUPLE DOUBLE. VICTORY MOMENTS was held up for clear running from approaching the 300 Metres until passing the 150 Metres and then lay out under pressure over the concluding stages. KA YING SPIRIT was held up for clear running from near the 400 Metres until after the 150 Metres. At the 300 Metres, TAJ DRAGON was shifted out away from the heels of SCOTCH TYCOON. M L Yeung (LUCKY FUN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure when not clear of EQUALETTA BLITZ, resulting in that horse having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. M L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Tuesday, 24 January 2023 and to expire on Monday, 30 January 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Yeung’s good race riding record. A veterinary inspection of EQUALETTA BLITZ immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of METRO WARRIOR immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, METRO WARRIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WE ARE HERO and LUCKY FUN were sent for sampling.