20/11/2022  Shatin  Race 6

COURIER WONDER shifted in at the start and brushed KURPANY. SIGHT SUCCESS shifted in at the start and inconvenienced DUKE WAI. From a wide barrier, SKY FIELD was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1100 Metres, STRONGER was shifted in away from the heels of COURIER WONDER. After the 1100 Metres, LUCKY SWEYNESSE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WELLINGTON when being shifted across behind that horse to obtain cover. After the 1000 Metres, COURIER WONDER shifted out away from the heels of CORDYCEPS SIX and hampered DUKE WAI and SKY FIELD. After the 800 Metres, CORDYCEPS SIX raced close to the heels of SUPER WEALTHY. Also after the 800 Metres, MASTER EIGHT was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, COURIER WONDER became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by CORDYCEPS SIX which at this time raced tight between COURIER WONDER and STRONGER which, when improving to the outside of LUCKY PATCH, was then taken out marginally by LUCKY PATCH as that horse shifted out from behind WINNING DREAMER. After the 350 Metres, STRONGER was directed out away from the heels of LUCKY PATCH (C L Chau) which shifted out when not properly clear. C L Chau was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. S De Sousa (CORDYCEPS SIX) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of COURIER WONDER, resulting in that horse having to be checked passing the 300 Metres and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. S De Sousa was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 21 December 2022 and to expire on Sunday, 25 December on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey De Sousa was fined $90,000. At the 200 Metres, WINNING DREAMER was severely checked away from the heels of KURPANY which was giving ground. When questioned regarding the performance of WELLINGTON, A Badel stated that after beginning well he was able to obtain a good position on WELLINGTON behind SIGHT SUCCESS in the early stages. He said WELLINGTON travelled well in the middle stages and he anticipated that the horse would quicken when asked in the early part of the Straight. He said rounding the Home Turn he was able to shift WELLINGTON to the outside of SIGHT SUCCESS, however, he became concerned by the manner in which WELLINGTON failed to show a turn of foot and that after shifting to the outside of SIGHT SUCCESS after the 400 Metres, WELLINGTON got its head on the side and hung out. He said WELLINGTON stayed on satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight, however, was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close the race off over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of WELLINGTON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, J McDonald reported that SUPER WEALTHY, which was stepping up in distance today, travelled too strongly in the middle stages and because of this was not able to finish the race off over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of SUPER WEALTHY immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER WEALTHY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SKY FIELD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WELLINGTON, LUCKY SWEYNESSE and LUCKY PATCH were sent for sampling.