28/02/2018  Shatin  Race 8

PHANTOM FALCON began very awkwardly and lost ground. WONDERFUL JOURNEY began awkwardly. On jumping, ALL YOU NEED was crowded for room between STORM SIGNAL and UGLY WARRIOR which was bumped heavily by HAPPY HAPPY STAR which in turn was taken out by PICK NUMBER ONE. This resulted in HAPPY HAPPY STAR and UGLY WARRIOR being hampered and HAPPY HAPPY STAR losing ground. After this, despite being ridden along, HAPPY HAPPY STAR failed to muster speed. Near the 1150 Metres, STRATHCLYDE and PERPETUAL TREASURE bumped. PERPETUAL TREASURE then shifted out and made contact with SAUL’S SPECIAL, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Apprentice M F Poon (STORM SIGNAL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of UGLY WARRIOR, resulting in that horse being hampered and taken in onto WONDERFUL JOURNEY, causing that horse to also be badly hampered and taken in onto PHANTOM FALCON which was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 18 March 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 22 March 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Poon was fined $37,500. Approaching the 900 Metres, MYTHICAL EMPEROR shifted out marginally, resulting in STRATHCLYDE becoming unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of that horse. SAUL’S SPECIAL, which was following STRATHCLYDE, got its head up when being checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. PHANTOM FALCON was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and passing the 300 Metres was shifted out across the heels of a number of horses when continuing to be held up. PHANTOM FALCON was then unable to obtain clear running until passing the 200 Metres. After the 200 Metres, SAUL’S SPECIAL shifted in towards the heels of ALL YOU NEED and had to be steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Throughout the race, PERPETUAL TREASURE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of STRATHCLYDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PICK NUMBER ONE and UGLY WARRIOR were sent for sampling.