20/12/2017  Happy Valley  Race 2

As the start was effected, WONDERFUL TIGER became fractious and lifted its front feet off the ground, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. Although the starting gate handler who was attending WONDERFUL TIGER had hold of the rein at the time the start was effected, the Stewards were satisfied that the starting gate handler was assisting the horse and in no way prevented it from beginning on terms with the field. Having regard to WONDERFUL TIGER’s previous record in respect of its barrier manners and the amount of ground lost in this incident, the Stewards ruled that that horse must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to being permitted to race again. JUNZI was crowded for room on jumping between LOOK ERAS and SONIC FIGHTER which was taken out by LOVE CHUNGHWA. From the outside barrier, BUOYANT BOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, LOVE CHUNGHWA was bumped by JUNZI which improved to be racing tight inside the heels of DOCTORS DELIGHT. Making the turn near the 600 Metres, SONIC FIGHTER and SPRING WIN raced tight. Passing the 600 Metres, ALL YOU KNOW became unbalanced after brushing the running rail. ALL YOU KNOW then shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SONIC FIGHTER. In this incident, ALL YOU KNOW lost ground, resulting in LOVE CHUNGHWA being hampered in consequence. Apprentice M F Poon (KIROV) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the entrance to the Home Straight he directed his mount out from behind FLYING FORCE in an attempt to improve between that horse and PEACE ON EARTH where running did not exist, causing KIROV to bump heavily with PEACE ON EARTH which resulted in that horse becoming unbalanced and being unnecessarily hampered, and further that after being unable to improve between FLYING FORCE and PEACE ON EARTH, KIROV struck the heels of FLYING FORCE, causing that horse to be dragged down behind and become badly unbalanced. Apprentice Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 7 January 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 11 January 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Poon was fined $25,000. At the 250 Metres, SPRING WIN was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of PEACE ON EARTH. Near the 150 Metres, JUNZI was steadied when unable to improve between DOCTORS DELIGHT and SONIC FIGHTER which shifted out under pressure. Passing the 150 Metres, LOVE CHUNGHWA was shifted in away from the heels of FLYING FORCE which was giving ground. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred near the 50 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether SPRING WIN should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently K Teetan, the rider of second placed, PEACE ON EARTH, lodged a protest/objection against SPRING WIN (N Callan) being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount near the 50 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that in the early part of the Straight SPRING WIN was racing behind PEACE ON EARTH and had improved its position passing the 100 Metres to race almost on terms with PEACE ON EARTH. It was further established that at the 50 Metres when SPRING WIN was only marginally behind PEACE ON EARTH, it shifted in and bumped PEACE ON EARTH, causing that horse to become unbalanced. Having regard to the manner in which both horses were finishing off the race and the proximity of the contact between the horses in relation to the winning post, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had the contact between the two horses not have occurred, PEACE ON EARTH would have beaten SPRING WIN. Accordingly, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, N Callan was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts to prevent causing interference to other runners. Over the concluding stages, WONDERFUL TIGER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JUNZI. Throughout the race, SPRING WIN travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of FLYING FORCE and JUNZI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LOOK ERAS, SPRING WIN and PEACE ON EARTH were sent for sampling.