01/02/2015  Shatin  Race 3

AMAZING ALWAYS shifted out at the start and bumped DRAGON ENERGY. SUGAR CITY was crowded for room on jumping between WINSOME SMILE and MOTIF, both of which shifted ground. Then a short distance after the start, SUGAR CITY was steadied away from the heels of MOTIF which shifted in. From wide barriers, ISLAND FLYER, WINNING TALENT and AZTEC EMPIRE were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1200 Metres, AMAZING ALWAYS raced tight inside NO REGRETS which got its head on the side and lay in. Then after the 900 Metres, AMAZING ALWAYS lost ground when again crowded inside NO REGRETS which shifted in marginally when racing greenly. WINNING TALENT, which was following, was hampered in consequence. After the 1000 Metres, DRAGON ENERGY commenced to get its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY FRIENDSHIP. DRAGON ENERGY then continued to prove difficult to settle and near the 900 Metres was checked away from the heels of HAPPY FRIENDSHIP. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, UNBEATABLE GUTS raced in restricted room between DRAGON ENERGY and CASTLE KNIGHT which was racing tight inside PLENTY OF SPEED. Near the 750 Metres, CASTLE KNIGHT was hampered when racing tight outside UNBEATABLE GUTS and awkwardly placed close to the heels of PLENTY OF SPEED. In this incident, UNBEATABLE GUTS was also hampered when racing in restricted room inside CASTLE KNIGHT. Near the 550 Metres, ISLAND FLYER got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of CASTLE KNIGHT. At the entrance to the Straight, SUGAR CITY was shifted out away from the heels of UNBEATABLE GUTS which shifted out from behind PLENTY OF SPEED. Passing the 100 Metres, PLENTY OF SPEED was awkwardly placed inside the heels of UNBEATABLE GUTS which shifted in. Throughout the race, PLENTY OF SPEED travelled wide and without cover. M Guyon, the rider of the 6th placegetter, DRAGON ENERGY, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride mount out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. M Guyon was fined the sum of $15,000. A veterinary inspection of CASTLE KNIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CASTLE KNIGHT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CASTLE KNIGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUGAR CITY and WAH MAY BABY were sent for sampling.