07/01/2018  Shatin  Race 1

Whilst in the saddling stalls, CHAPARRAL STAR had its left front plate adjusted. CHAPARRAL STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On jumping, CHAPARRAL STAR and PEOPLE’S CHAMPION, which began awkwardly, were crowded for room between NOBLE DELIGHT and BEST RUNNER, both of which shifted ground. BEAUT BEAUT shifted out at the start and bumped GOLDEN DASH. RESPECT and DRAGON WARRIOR bumped at the start. On jumping, REFINED TREASURE was crowded for room between RAY’S CALL and HOT HOT PEPPER. Approaching the 600 Metres, when racing tight outside HOT HOT PEPPER, REFINED TREASURE got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in it being awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUT BEAUT. Near the 400 Metres, RESPECT (M Chadwick) raced in restricted room between PEACE COMBINATION and BEAUT BEAUT (A Badel) which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEST RUNNER. A Badel was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. M Chadwick stated that after being briefly crowded for room outside BEAUT BEAUT, RESPECT was then reluctant to maintain its position between that horse and PEACE COMBINATION. K C Leung (PEOPLE’S CHAMPION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in abruptly when not clear of RAY’S CALL, causing that horse to be unnecessarily hampered and to lose ground. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 13 January 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 18 January 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Leung was fined $25,000. For some distance after the 400 Metres, BEAUT BEAUT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEST RUNNER which shifted out marginally when commencing to give ground. The performance of BEST RUNNER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEST RUNNER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOBLE DELIGHT passing the 300 Metres, REFINED TREASURE (K Teetan) was shifted in in an attempt to obtain clear running between NOBLE DELIGHT and HOT HOT PEPPER. When being shifted in, REFINED TREASURE made heavy contact with the hindquarters of HOT HOT PEPPER, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced and REFINED TREASURE not being able to improve between HOT HOT PEPPER and NOBLE DELIGHT as sufficient running no longer existed. REFINED TREASURE was then badly held up for clear running behind NOBLE DELIGHT and outside HOT HOT PEPPER (U Rispoli) which then shifted out under pressure. Then passing the 200 Metres, REFINED TREASURE, which was continuing to race tight outside HOT HOT PEPPER, clipped the heels of NOBLE DELIGHT which at this time shifted in abruptly after initially being directed in by GOLDEN DASH (Z Purton) which, when laying in, shifted in marginally. This resulted in REFINED TREASURE blundering badly and losing a significant amount of ground.When REFINED TREASURE was checked passing the 200 Metres, DRAGON WARRIOR, which was following, was checked in consequence and shifted out, resulting in CHAPARRAL STAR being inconvenienced.The Stewards were satisfied that REFINED TREASURE, after shifting in and making significant contact with the hindquarters of HOT HOT PEPPER, had not established running between that horse and NOBLE DELIGHT prior to HOT HOT PEPPER shifting ground. However, U Rispoli was advised that after becoming unbalanced due to contact from REFINED TREASURE which shifted out, he should have made more of an effort to prevent his mount from shifting out than he did. He was reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to be more aware of his mounts shifting ground and to make every endeavour to prevent them from shifting ground. Z Purton was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that GOLDEN DASH, which was having its first race start today, was shifting in and proving difficult to ride, he was reprimanded and told that he must make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. K Teetan was also told to ensure that there is sufficient room to improve between runners so as to avoid making unnecessary contact. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of REFINED TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. REFINED TREASURE, GOLDEN DASH and PEACE COMBINATION were sent for sampling.