25/03/2018  Shatin  Race 10

SHAMPORT was crowded for room on jumping between ROUNDABOUT and ALL YOU NEED which shifted out. GOD OF DRAGON was crowded for room on jumping between TURIN REDSTAR and LADY FIRST which shifted in. From wide barriers, ULTIMATE GLORY, RACING LUCK and SKY MELODY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, STARLIGHT was momentarily crowded for room inside GOD OF DRAGON which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve tightening to STARLIGHT. Passing the 250 Metres, HEALTHY JOYFUL raced tight between LADY FIRST and ROUNDABOUT which improved into tight running between HEALTHY JOYFUL and TURIN REDSTAR. S Clipperton (SHAMPORT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of TURIN REDSTAR, resulting in SHAMPORT making contact with TURIN REDSTAR and taking that horse out across the rightful running of ROUNDABOUT which was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. HEALTHY JOYFUL, which was following ROUNDABOUT, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence. S Clipperton was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 18 April 2018 and to expire on Sunday, 22 April 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, S Clipperton was fined $25,000. For the majority of the race, HEALTHY JOYFUL travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RAGING STORM, J Moreira stated that he was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to make too much use of the horse. He said when REGENCY BO BO was aggressively ridden for a considerable distance in the early and middle stages to obtain the lead, he was comfortable to allow that horse to cross RAGING STORM as he wanted RAGING STORM to remain racing in the one-off position away from the rail having regard to the horse having previously raced greenly. He said RAGING STORM travelled comfortably in the middle stages, however, he became concerned as to the manner in which the horse would finish off the race when it was not able to quicken past REGENCY BO BO in the early part of the Straight considering how much work REGENCY BO BO had done to cross to the lead. He said, despite placing RAGING STORM under heavy pressure in the Straight, the horse did not quicken and commenced to give ground from the 200 Metres. He added the final 200 Metres of the race was particularly disappointing in that RAGING STORM gave ground noticeably. Mr J Size, the trainer of RAGING STORM, stated that he instructed Jockey Moreira to allow REGENCY BO BO to cross if that horse was ridden to obtain the lead as he felt that this would benefit RAGING STORM having a horse to follow. He said RAGING STORM’s performance today was disappointing in that it had pleased him since its last start run and he was unable to offer any explanation for the horse’s performance. He said he would monitor the horse in the days following the race before deciding whether to continue with its current preparation. A veterinary inspection of RAGING STORM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RAGING STORM, a favourite for today’s race and a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RAGING STORM will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY JOYFUL immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY JOYFUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LADY FIRST immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RAGING STORM, REGENCY BO BO and GOD OF DRAGON were sent for sampling.