26/02/2017  Shatin  Race 6

At declaration time, J Moreira was declared as the rider of both EASY TOUCH and VITAL SPRING. It was established that J Moreira had a firm commitment to ride VITAL SPRING. As such, the Stewards permitted Apprentice H T Mo to be substituted as the rider of EASY TOUCH. For this declaration error, Trainer C S Shum was fined $2,000. The Stewards were informed by the Club’s Racing Laboratory on 24 February 2017 that a stable-submitted elective urine sample taken from RICHCITY FORTUNE was found to show the presence of the prohibited substance clenbuterol. As the horse’s intended race today was within the recommended withdrawal period for this substance, Mr J Moore, the trainer of RICHCITY FORTUNE, requested for the horse to be withdrawn. The Stewards acceded to the request and consequently RICHCITY FORTUNE was withdrawn from this race by order of the Stewards and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter GREAT TOPLIGHT (M Chadwick). The Stewards today interviewed Mr Moore regarding the circumstances surrounding the horse being entered and declared for this race following it being administered the prohibited substance clenbuterol on 11 February 2017. Evidence was taken from Mr Moore, Mr C W Wong, assistant trainer allocated to Mr Moore’s stable for the current racing season, and Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation. Mr Moore was found to be in breach of Rule 50(2) in that he failed in his responsibility for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable and was fined the sum of $30,000. PEARL WIN was withdrawn on 25.2.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore right front tendon) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter DYNAMIC LIONS (B Prebble). Before being allowed to race again, PEARL WIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. JOLLY AMBER began only fairly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between MERRYGOWIN and ENCHANTED FEELING which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by JOLLY AMBER. PERFECT TOUCH began awkwardly and shifted out. After this, from a wide barrier, PERFECT TOUCH was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, CITY LEGEND was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After travelling a short distance, GRACIOUS RYDER was steadied away from the heels of COOL BROTHERS which hung in when being ridden along to take up a forward position. Approaching the 1000 Metres, COOL BROTHERS raced tight between EXPONENTS and MERRYGOWIN which got its head on the side and shifted in away from EASY TOUCH. Then passing the 1000 Metres, COOL BROTHERS got its head up when proving difficult to settle. In the early stages, PERFECT TOUCH raced greenly and making the first turn after the 900 Metres got its head on the side and lay out. After this, PERFECT TOUCH continued to race greenly and again got its head on the side and lay out making the Home Turn. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, GRACIOUS RYDER was awkwardly placed behind COOL BROTHERS which was reluctant to maintain its position inside VITAL SPRING. Near the 750 Metres, DYNAMIC LIONS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of COOL BROTHERS which, when continuing to race greenly, shifted in away from the heels of VITAL SPRING. For the majority of the race, GREAT TOPLIGHT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo stated that he had been instructed to obtain the rail and lead on EASY TOUCH if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount hard for a considerable distance in the early stages and it was not until well after the 1000 Metres that he was able to cross MERRYGOWIN to his inside to race outside CIRCUIT KING. He said he knew at this time that he would not be able to lead and therefore making the first turn immediately attempted to steady EASY TOUCH and remain racing to the outside of CIRCUIT KING. He said when he did this EASY TOUCH got its head on the side and hung out whilst also proving difficult to settle. He added he applied heavy pressure to the right rein in an endeavour to have EASY TOUCH shift back in to race directly outside CIRCUIT KING, however, the horse was reluctant to shift over to race outside that horse. After the race, it was reported by the Veterinary Surgeon that COOL BROTHERS had sustained an overreach wound to the inside of the left front heel. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY DARLING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MERRYGOWIN and VITAL SPRING were sent for sampling.