26/02/2023  Shatin  Race 8

NATURAL STORM was crowded on jumping by ROMANTIC CHARM which shifted out, resulting in NATURAL STORM shifting out and making contact with the hindquarters of QUANTUM PATCH. S J TOURBILLON and ENTRUSTED bumped at the start. From wide barriers, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE and SNAFFLES was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. QUANTUM PATCH was left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres. From the 350 Metres until near the 300 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was held up for clear running behind ROMANTIC CHARM. Then passing the 300 Metres, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE improved to the inside of ROMANTIC CHARM but then became held up behind WINNING DRAGON near the 200 Metres and could not secure clear running thereafter and as a result could not be fully tested to the finish of the race. Approaching the 300 Metres, SNAFFLES improved into tight running between STRAIGHT ARRON and SUPERBELLA and in doing so made contact with SUPERBELLA, resulting in SUPERBELLA becoming unbalanced. Near the 300 Metres and again between the 200 Metres and the 100 Metres, ESCAPE ROUTE was held up for clear running. L Hewitson (NICHOLSON RETURNS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of STRAIGHT ARRON, causing that horse to be taken in across the running of QUANTUM PATCH, resulting in QUANTUM PATCH being checked and losing its rightful running and also being taken in and making contact with S J TOURBILLON, causing S J TOURBILLON to become unbalanced. In the circumstances, L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 and to expire on Monday, 3 April 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Hewitson was fined $60,000. Over the final 50 Metres, STRAIGHT ARRON shifted out under pressure and approaching the winning post ran out before being corrected by its rider, B Shinn. SUPERBELLA raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. A veterinary inspection of S J TOURBILLON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NICHOLSON RETURNS, STRAIGHT ARRON and NATURAL STORM were sent for sampling.