03/03/2024  Shatin  Race 7

HELIOS EXPRESS (H302): In the middle stages raced keenly. From the 400 Metres to the 250 Metres was held up for clear running before being shifted to the outside of CHANCHENG GLORY to obtain clear running. Approaching the 150 Metres was taken out by CHANCHENG GLORY. Sent for sampling post-race. HELENE FEELING (H215): Raced keenly in the early and middle stages and refused to settle. Had difficulty obtaining clear running between the 400 Metres and the 350 Metres. CHILL CHIBI (H109): Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when racing in restricted room between BEAUTY CRESCENT and ENSUED which shifted in. ENSUED (H452): Jumped awkwardly. Near the 150 Metres was steadied and shifted to the inside of HELIOS EXPRESS when that runner was taken out by CHANCHENG GLORY (K De Melo) which shifted out. K De Melo was advised to exercise more care. BEAUTY CRESCENT (H334): When questioned regarding BEAUTY CRESCENT leading, A Badel stated that from the outside barrier he was asked to hold a forward position with cover if possible. He said after beginning well and when the pace of the event in the early stages was outside of standard, he elected to allow BEAUTY CRESCENT to stride forward and lead the event without pressuring his mount to do so. SPEED DRAGON (H380): Shortly after the start was crowded and checked. UNBELIEVABLE (J130): Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. CHANCHENG GLORY (H212): Sent for sampling post-race. AWESOME FLUKE (J050): In the early stages, when racing wide and without cover, raced keenly when being restrained to obtain cover behind STAR MAC. ELLIPTICAL (J052): No report. KA YING GENERATION (J075): Bumped at the start and then was crowded between FALLON and SPEED DRAGON. Checked shortly after the start. M L Yeung (FALLON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 350 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of KA YING GENERATION, resulting in KA YING GENERATION losing its rightful running and being checked. M L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 20 March 2024 and to expire on Monday, 25 March 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Yeung was fined $25,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his neutral race riding record. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FALLON (H219): Jumped awkwardly and was bumped shortly after. D Lane (SIMPLY MAVERICK) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that shortly after the start he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SPEED DRAGON, resulting in SPEED DRAGON being taken in and checked, crowding the running of KA YING GENERATION, resulting in KA YING GENERATION having to be checked and FALLON being crowded onto the heels of HELIOS EXPRESS and having to be checked. D Lane 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 excellent race riding record. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight and as to whether there was an option to follow HELIOS EXPRESS and CHANCHENG GLORY to the inside, M L Yeung stated that the preference was to obtain a run to the outside as FALLON had raced best when ridden in this manner. He said after entering the Home Straight when he was of the view there was no clear run to the inside, he elected to shift FALLON to the outside to secure clear running. M L Yeung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 350 Metres (see KA YING GENERATION). SIMPLY MAVERICK (H346): For some distance after the 500 Metres raced tight between UNBELIEVABLE and HELENE FEELING. When questioned, D Lane stated that his mount did not appear to be comfortable racing amongst horses during the event, raced "flat” when placed under pressure in the Home Straight and gave ground. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. D Lane pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference shortly after the start (see FALLON). STAR MAC (J053): Jumped only fairly. CALIFORNIA VOCE (H258): Withdrawn on 29.2.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter AWESOME FLUKE. Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA VOCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.