17/12/2016  Shatin  Race 1

At declaration time, K Teetan was declared as the rider of both BORN DRAGON and MIZZEN GREY. It was established that K Teetan had a firm commitment to ride BORN DRAGON. As such, the Stewards permitted M Chadwick to be substituted as the rider of MIZZEN GREY. For this declaration error, Trainer T K Ng was fined $2,000. FRIENDS FOREVER, which was leaning against the outside of its barrier stall as the start was effected, began awkwardly. FRIENDS FOREVER then shifted in shortly after the start, resulting in DRAGON BACHELOR being crowded for room. After this, DRAGON BACHELOR was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed. LAUGHING LORD shifted out at the start and inconvenienced LUCKY BOLE. From the outside barrier, CHARITY PLENTY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, FRIENDS FOREVER became momentarily unbalanced when racing tight inside BORN DRAGON. After this, FRIENDS FOREVER continued to race awkwardly inside the heels of BORN DRAGON. After the 1100 Metres, PLANET GIANT was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 200 Metres, LAUGHING LORD and PERFECT TIMING bumped due to both horses shifting ground. PERFECT TIMING then became unbalanced and shifted out abruptly, resulting in LAUGHING LORD being crowded for room when taken out onto MIGHTY WONGCHOY. As MIGHTY WONGCHOY was being shifted out to relieve the tightening to LAUGHING LORD, PLANET GIANT, which was racing outside MIGHTY WONGCHOY, got its head on the side and shifted in away from JIMSON THE FAMOUS before being corrected by its rider. This resulted in both LAUGHING LORD and MIGHTY WONGCHOY both being checked approaching the 100 Metres. As the Stewards were satisfied that this incident was due to a number of factors, none of these due to carelessness being exhibited by any rider, no further action was taken. For the majority of the race, LE PEGASE travelled wide and without cover and subsequently finished tailed out in the Straight. The performance of LE PEGASE was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LE PEGASE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of S Clipperton (NOVEL START), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned, J Moreira (JIMSON THE FAMOUS) stated that it had been intended to take up a forward position on the horse. He said after being placed in the barriers JIMSON THE FAMOUS was fractious and turned its head on a number of occasions. He said as the start was effected JIMSON THE FAMOUS turned its head to the right and at the same time leant on the outside of its barrier stall which resulted in it beginning awkwardly and losing ground. He said as he believed it was no longer an option to take up a forward position, he elected to shift JIMSON THE FAMOUS across behind runners in the early stages and improve his position along the inside rail. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON BACHELOR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DRAGON BACHELOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY BOLE immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils SOCCER BRAVE and JIMSON THE FAMOUS were sent for sampling.