20/05/2018  Shatin  Race 2

GREAT SKY was withdrawn on 19.5.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left fore lateral suspensory branch) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter THE LEGEND (Z Purton). Before being allowed to race again, GREAT SKY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOLDEN CANNON began awkwardly and then in the early stages got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain cover. Then in the middle stages, GOLDEN CANNON proved very difficult to settle and making the first turn near the 900 Metres got its head up when being checked away from the heels of THE LEGEND. In this incident, GOLDEN CANNON shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of NEWSWIRE FREE which became unbalanced. OTOUTO shifted in at the start and bumped the hindquarters of DON WONGCHOY, causing both horses to become unbalanced. After this, OTOUTO was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed. SNOWHOOVES began awkwardly and then shifted out towards the heels of THE LEGEND. SOCCER BRAVE shifted in at the start and bumped HAPPY CENTURY. From a wide barrier, NEWSWIRE FREE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, JIMSON THE FAMOUS failed to muster speed. At the entrance to the Straight, JIMSON THE FAMOUS was shifted to the outside of TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET after being unable to improve inside that horse. Passing the 400 Metres, SNOWHOOVES was checked away from the heels of LUCKY STORM when held up for clear running. Passing the 300 Metres, Z Purton dropped his right rein. At the 200 Metres, ACTUARIAT shifted out and brushed DON WONGCHOY. Then passing the 200 Metres, ACTUARIAT and DON WONGCHOY raced tight inside OTOUTO which shifted in marginally. U Rispoli (TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when riding it out with the whip when not clear of HAPPY CENTURY, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. U Rispoli was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 3 June 2018 and to expire on Thursday 7 June 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Rispoli was fined $20,000. Over the concluding stages, SNOWHOOVES was unable to obtain clear running and consequently was not able to be properly tested all the way to the end of the race. Passing the winning post, SCARBOROUGH FAIR shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET. For the majority of the race, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY and DON WONGCHOY travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY STORM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET and SCARBOROUGH FAIR were sent for sampling.