07/01/2018  Shatin  Race 9

PING HAI STAR was slow to begin and then shifted out abruptly shortly after the start, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, PING HAI STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. MARVEL JOY began awkwardly, shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MIGHTY MAVERICK. HAPPY JOURNEY shifted in at the start and hampered DIAMOND DRAGON. From wide barriers, NUCLEAR POWER and BOMBAY BLITZ were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After the 1000 Metres, SIMPLY BRILLIANT commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of AMAZING MOMENT which, after momentarily shifting out away from the heels of MIGHTY MAVERICK, then resumed its position behind that horse. When proving difficult to settle, SIMPLY BRILLIANT shifted in and inconvenienced MARVEL JOY. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, DIAMOND DRAGON proved very difficult to settle and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of BOMBAY BLITZ and in doing so inconvenienced NUCLEAR POWER which became unbalanced. Near the 450 Metres, NUCLEAR POWER was brushed on the hindquarters by DIAMOND DRAGON which shifted out, causing both horses to become momentarily unbalanced. PING HAI STAR had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. J Moreira (PING HAI STAR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 250 Metres he directed his mount in when not clear of MIGHTY MAVERICK, causing that horse to be crowded for room and unnecessarily hampered. J Moreira 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 assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Moreira’s good race riding record. Passing the 200 Metres, ROMANTIC JOURNEY was steadied away from the heels of YOUNG EMPIRE which shifted in when giving ground. Throughout the race, EXPERTO CREDE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND DRAGON and EXPERTO CREDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PING HAI STAR and SIMPLY BRILLIANT were sent for sampling.