03/03/2024  Shatin  Race 2

SOLAR UP (J134): Jumped awkwardly, made contact with the left side of its barrier and lost ground. L Ferraris (WINDCHEATER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SOLAR UP, resulting in SOLAR UP having to be checked away from the heels of WINDCHEATER. L Ferraris was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Saturday, 16 March 2024 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record. Apprentice Y L Chung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 400 Metres (see STRATHPEFFER). ORIENTAL SMOKE (E467): Sent for sampling post-race. WINDCHEATER (J122): Sent for sampling post-race. L Ferraris was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see SOLAR UP). GOLDEN DARCI (H470): Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up making the Home Turn. Near the 300 Metres, GOLDEN DARCI, which was laying out, was steadied and got its head up when crowded between KING OBERON and SOLAR UP (Apprentice Y L Chung) which shifted in. Apprentice Chung was reprimanded and advised that he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. Near the 50 Metres was shifted to the inside of KING OBERON to secure clear running and over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when KING OBERON shifted in slightly. EASY SNIP (G211): No report. FIREFOOT (J183): Jumped only fairly. In the Home Straight lay in, resulting in its rider A Atzeni changing the whip to his right hand passing the 200 Metres. FORTUNE COOKIES (J032): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start. The performance of FORTUNE COOKIES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FORTUNE COOKIES will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PACKING WISHER (H448): Bumped on the hindquarters on jumping. Raced keenly in the middle stages. SKY TRUST (J161): As the start was effected lowered its head, resulting in its rider B Shinn becoming unbalanced on jumping and SKY TRUST being slow to begin. TELECOM BULLET (J097): No report. TRAVEL GOLF (H063): When questioned, A Hamelin stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed by Trainer C H Yip to ride his mount conservatively in the early stages. He said after settling at the rear of the field, he placed TRAVEL GOLF under pressure leaving the 500 Metres, however, his mount lay in and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of runners in the Home Straight. He added as a result he was placed at some disadvantage from not being able to fully test TRAVEL GOLF out to the finish of the event although his mount ran home reasonably well. Trainer C H Yip confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING OBERON (H407): No report. GANGNAM STAR (H326): Leaving the 1100 Metres improved to the inside of GOLDEN DARCI and was steadied for a short distance. Making the turn leaving the 900 Metres lay out and made the turn wider. Checked approaching the 400 Metres. STRATHPEFFER (H095): Apprentice Y L Chung (SOLAR UP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 400 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out, resulting in PACKING WISHER being taken out across the running of STRATHPEFFER, resulting in STRATHPEFFER having to be checked and GANGNAM STAR, which was following and slightly to the outside of STRATHPEFFER, also having to be checked. Apprentice Chung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 24 March 2024 and to expire on Thursday, 28 March 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.