03/06/2018  Shatin  Race 10

BREEDERS’ STAR began awkwardly and made contact with the outside of its gate. BREEDERS’ STAR was then bumped by WISHFUL THINKER which shifted in. SUMMER PASSAGE began awkwardly and then was bumped by ALWAYS WIN which shifted in abruptly. SUMMER PASSAGE then shifted in abruptly and made heavy contact with ARCADA, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. After this, from wide barriers, ARCADA and SUMMER PASSAGE were shifted across behind runners. M L Yeung (ALWAYS WIN) 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 SUMMER PASSAGE, resulting in that horse, which was travelling keenly, having to be severely checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In this incident, TEAM FORTUNE was bumped by SUMMER PASSAGE and ARCADA, which was following SUMMER PASSAGE, was checked away from the heels of that horse and forced wider when SUMMER PASSAGE shifted out. M L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 17 June 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 28 June 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, M L Yeung was fined $15,000. After this incident, ALWAYS WIN travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. Near the 350 Metres, MISSION TYCOON and MONTREAL raced tight as MISSION TYCOON shifted out into clear running. When questioned regarding the performance of MONTREAL, Z Purton stated that after sitting behind a good tempo, he expected MONTREAL to quicken nicely in the early part of the Straight. He said however after initially staying on, he was unable to prevent MISSION TYCOON from shifting out approaching the 300 Metres and after this MONTREAL gave ground abruptly to finish near the rear of the field. He added when pulling up after the race MONTREAL became badly unbalanced and stumbled which prompted him to dismount from the horse whilst still on the track. A veterinary inspection of MONTREAL immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a minor cut to the left hock. The performance of MONTREAL, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MONTREAL 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 ALWAYS WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JUMBO LUCK and MISSION TYCOON were sent for sampling.