20/05/2018  Shatin  Race 9

RAGING BLITZKRIEG shifted out at the start and bumped PRINCE HARMONY. From a wide barrier, MR WEALTH was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. W M Lai (PRINCE HARMONY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HANDSOME BO BO, causing that horse to be checked. MIDNIGHT RATTLER and STAR SHINE, which were racing to the inside of HANDSOME BO BO, were crowded for room. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence with immediate effect and to expire on 2018 on Monday, 28 May 2018 which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Lai’s good race riding record. Apprentice M F Poon (WINNING SUPREME) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of HANDSOME BO BO, causing that horse to be checked. Apprentice Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 4 June 2018 at which time a previously incurred period of suspension is to expire. The Stewards ruled that this period of suspension is to expire on Sunday, 17 June 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). Near the 850 Metres, MIDNIGHT RATTLER was steadied away from the heels of WINNING SUPREME. Near the 750 Metres, HAPPY HOUR lost ground when reluctant to hold its position after momentarily racing tight inside MOMENTUM LUCKY which was racing tight inside ATTENTION. MR WEALTH, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Near the 550 Metres, HANDSOME BO BO raced tight between WINNING SUPREME and RAGING BLITZKRIEG. MR WEALTH was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. After then being shifted to the outside of MOMENTUM LUCKY approaching the 300 Metres, MR WEALTH was again held up for clear running from near the 250 Metres until approaching the 100 Metres. Consequently MR WEALTH was not able to be fully tested. STAR SHINE was badly held up for clear running inside PRINCE HARMONY from near the 350 Metres until approaching the 100 Metres. Throughout the race, RAGING BLITZKRIEG travelled wide and without cover. Z Purton, the rider of HANDSOME BO BO, stated that with PRINCE HARMONY and WINNING SUPREME engaged in the race, in his pre-race discussions with Trainer K L Man, it was expected that those horses would be ridden positively in the early stages to lead and therefore if that eventuated, he should obtain a trailing position behind those horses. He said in the early stages he observed both PRINCE HARMONY and WINNING SUPREME being hard ridden to lead and when he observed MIDNIGHT RATTLER obtaining a position forward of STAR SHINE, he anticipated that MIDNIGHT RATTLER would cross to the rail in front of STAR SHINE which would allow HANDSOME BO BO the opportunity to race one horse off the rail behind PRINCE HARMONY and WINNING SUPREME. He said however that after the 1100 Metres he became aware that MIDNIGHT RATTLER was not able to cross STAR SHINE and had remained in the one-off position and this resulted in HANDSOME BO BO being left racing in a three wide position. He said he did consider riding HANDSOME BO BO along then, however, at this time both PRINCE HARMONY and WINNING SUPREME were gaining an advantage over HANDSOME BO BO and therefore he believed that this would not be in the best interests of HANDSOME BO BO to be ridden aggressively at this stage in an attempt to obtain a position to be able to cross MIDNIGHT RATTLER. He said when HANDSOME BO BO suffered interference on two occasions near the 900 Metres, this resulted in the horse becoming badly unbalanced and having to race in a three wide position without cover thereafter. A veterinary inspection of HANDSOME BO BO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RAGING BLITZKRIEG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HANDSOME BO BO, STAR SHINE and PRINCE HARMONY were sent for sampling.