23/12/2023  Shatin  Race 8

TRUE GENIUS (J073): Jumped only fairly. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COTTON FINGERS (H398): For some distance shortly after the start raced tight between SPEED SWORD and I GIVE, both of which shifted ground slightly. Lay in in the Home Straight. I GIVE (H036): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race. WINGS OF WAR (H162): After the race, K De Melo advised that he was instructed to go forward from a wide barrier. Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions issued. PULSAR STRIDER (G407): Jumped awkwardly. JOYFUL HUNTER (H198): When questioned regarding the horse settling at the rear of the field, C Y Ho stated that his instructions from the outside barrier were to endeavour to obtain a position preferably near midfield with cover. He said when caught wide in the early stages and when MAGNIFICENT NINE held its position to his inside, he was obliged to come back and race behind that horse to avoid covering additional ground and as a result JOYFUL HUNTER settling further back than what he had intended. He added JOYFUL HUNTER was momentarily held up on the Home Turn behind TRUE GENIUS before obtaining clear running entering the Home Straight. Sent for sampling post-race. ARMOUR WAR EAGLE (J039): Sent for sampling post-race. MAGNIFICENT NINE (H433): Shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between ARMOUR WAR EAGLE and JOYFUL HUNTER which shifted in. C Y Ho (JOYFUL HUNTER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of MAGNIFICENT NINE, resulting in MAGNIFICENT NINE being checked to avoid JOYFUL HUNTER. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Friday, 29 December 2023 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record. When questioned regarding his riding of MAGNIFICENT NINE, Z Purton stated that from a wide barrier he was asked to ride MAGNIFICENT NINE in a conservative manner in the early stages to allow it to finish the race off strongly. He said after complying with his instructions in the early stages, MAGNIFICENT NINE, which was racing in a hood for the first time, appeared to relax wearing that gear and as a result he was obliged to niggle at his mount in the early stages to maintain its position towards the rear of the field. He added when under pressure in the Home Straight MAGNIFICENT NINE commence to respond to his riding before receiving interference at the 150 Metres at which point the horse was not able to regain its momentum and finish the race off. Trainer J Size confirmed the instructions issued and stated having regard to its trials on the All Weather Track he asked Jockey Purton to ride MAGNIFICENT NINE in a conservative manner in the early stages to enhance its chances to finish the race off. CAPITAL LEGEND (G333): No report. SPEED SWORD (H397): No report. SWIFT ASCEND (H395): Near the 100 Metres lay in, resulting in its rider K Teetan having to correct his mount.