22/11/2020  Shatin  Race 4

SPEED FAY FAY began very awkwardly and bumped the inside of its gate, resulting in the horse being slow to begin. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE began only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. FORTUNE MASTER shifted in at the start and bumped HALL OF CHAMP. From a wide barrier, BIG LUCK CHAMP was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, HALL OF CHAMP was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE MASTER which shifted in away from MORE THAN ENOUGH. Approaching the 1200 Metres, TRIPLE TRIPLE was crowded for room between CHAIRMAN LO and MORE THAN ENOUGH (N Callan) which was directed out to avoid causing tightening to SUPER KIN. MORE THAN ENOUGH then continued to shift out, resulting in TRIPLE TRIPLE continuing to be awkwardly placed behind that horse passing the 1200 Metres and losing ground. N Callan was advised to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting unnecessary ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 1100 Metres, MORE THEN ENOUGH was bumped by CHAIRMAN LO which shifted in abruptly after racing tight inside FORZA ANGEL (H N Wong) which shifted in marginally. H N Wong was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. Near the 1050 Metres, FORTUNE MASTER was momentarily crowded for room inside RED MAJESTY which was directed in by TRIPLE TRIPLE which continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of MORE THAN ENOUGH. Near the 950 Metres, HALL OF CHAMP was crowded for room inside FORTUNE MASTER which got its head on the side and shifted in away from RED MAJESTY. CHAIRMAN LO made the Home Turn awkwardly. WONDER EXPRESS had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. FORTUNE MASTER was held up for clear running from approaching the 300 Metres until near the 250 Metres at which stage the horse was shifted out away from the heels of SUPER TEN which shifted out and then became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by WONDER EXPRESS which was directed out by SUPER KIN. Passing the 300 Metres, SUPER KIN was checked when disappointed for running between MORE THAN ENOUGH and CHAIRMAN LO which shifted out marginally when commencing to give ground. As the Stewards were satisfied that SUPER KIN had not established running between CHAIRMAN LO and MORE THAN ENOUGH, no further action was taken. HALL OF CHAMP, which was following SUPER KIN and held up for clear running, was directed to the inside of that horse in consequence. Also passing the 300 Metres, GALACTIC was directed out away from the heels of SPEED FAY FAY (C Schofield) which shifted out to obtain clear running. C Schofield was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 150 Metres, SPEED FAY FAY was directed out away from the heels of TRIPLE TRIPLE (Z Purton) which shifted out under pressure. In this incident, Z Purton changed his whip over into his left hand. Z Purton was advised to exercise due care in similar circumstances. Apprentice C L Chau (HALL OF CHAMP) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance after the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out under pressure which resulted in FORTUNE MASTER being unnecessarily hampered when crowded for room outside HALL OF CHAMP over the concluding stages. Apprentice Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 9 December 2020 and to expire on Monday, 14 December 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Near the 75 Metres, WONDER EXPRESS raced in restricted room between FORTUNE MASTER and MORE THAN ENOUGH which shifted out away from HALL OF CHAMP as that horse shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, GALACTIC travelled wide and without cover and for the majority of the race SUPER TEN travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of GALACTIC, BIG LUCK CHAMP and SUPER TEN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HALL OF CHAMP and SPEED FAY FAY were sent for sampling.