18/06/2023  Shatin  Race 7

SIMPLE HEDGE was slow to begin. LOST CHILD jumped only fairly. From wide barriers, HERCULES and CHILLI BABA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 400 Metres, PROUD DRAGON was steadied when crowded between YOUNG VICTORY and MASTER HERO (M Dee) which shifted to the outside of CASA SACRED when placed close to that runner. M Dee was reprimanded. In assessing penalty, the Stewards found that PROUD DRAGON had only commenced to establish tight running between YOUNG VICTORY and MASTER HERO prior to being steadied. Approaching the 300 Metres, SIMPLE HEDGE raced tight for some distance when improving into a narrow run between DELAGO PATROL and DIAMOND DIAMOND. Apprentice E C W Wong (PROUD DRAGON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HERCULES, resulting in that horse being checked. Apprentice Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 9 July 2023 and to expire on Monday, 17 July 2023 on which day he may resume race riding. During this time, there are two Hong Kong racemeetings schedule to be conducted at which Apprentice Wong is eligible to accept riding engagements. Between the 100 Metres and the 50 Metres, DIAMOND DIAMOND had difficulty obtaining clear running when held up behind BLUE MARLIN. After the race, H Bentley (BLUE MARLIN) reported that he was given the option to take up a forward position, preferably with cover if his mount commenced well. He said in the early stages, after jumping well, he was obliged to continue forward and cross YOUNG VICTORY to avoid racing wide and as a result was unable to obtain cover on his mount. Also after the race, M Chadwick (YOUNG VICTORY) stated that from an outside barrier he was given the option to take up a more forward position but was caught wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He added that when under pressure in the Home Straight, YOUNG VICTORY gave ground and did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of YOUNG VICTORY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, YOUNG VICTORY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The performance of CASA SACRED, which had finished tailed out on the second occasion in its recent starts, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CASA SACRED will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CASA SACRED immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of PROUD DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YELLOWFIN and SIMPLE HEDGE were sent for sampling.