07/10/2018  Shatin  Race 7

HIGH FIVE jumped in at the start, resulting in GOLDEN DASH being inconvenienced. Then a short distance later, GOLDEN DASH was checked when crowded for room between HIGH FIVE which continued to lay in despite the efforts of its rider and VOYAGE KING which was taken out marginally by MYTHICAL EMPEROR. In this incident, GOLDEN DASH made contact with the hindquarters of VOYAGE KING which became unbalanced. As MIGHTY MAVERICK was taking a tight run between EXPERTO CREDE and MYTHICAL EMPEROR at the 100 Metres, MYTHICAL EMPEROR shifted out slightly under pressure, resulting in MIGHTY MAVERICK being inconvenienced. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred after the 75 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether ENDEARING (K C Leung) should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently K Teetan, the rider of HIGH FIVE, 2nd placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against ENDEARING being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount over the latter stages of the race. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that as HIGH FIVE improved to the outside of ENDEARING approaching the 75 Metres, ENDEARING was directed out by its rider, K C Leung which resulted in both horses making contact and HIGH FIVE being hampered and carried out for a number of strides. Having in mind the short head margin between the horses at the end of the race and the degree to which HIGH FIVE was hampered when ENDEARING shifted out, the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had the interference which clearly took place not occurred HIGH FIVE would have finished in front of ENDEARING. Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No. 1, HIGH FIVE, 1st; No. 7, ENDEARING, 2nd; No. 4, MIGHTY MAVERICK, 3rd; and No. 5, GOLDEN DASH, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, K C Leung was found guilty of a charge of improper riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 75 Metres when HIGH FIVE improved to be racing to his outside, he deliberately directed his mount outwards into HIGH FIVE which resulted in contact being made with that horse and HIGH FIVE being hampered and taken outwards. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 24 October 2018 and to expire on Sunday, 11 November 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (6 Hong Kong racedays). After the race, C Murray (GOLDEN DASH) stated that upon straightening he shifted out from behind MYTHICAL EMPEROR as he anticipated that a run may develop between that horse and EXPERTO CREDE. He said GOLDEN DASH was inclined to lay in marginally and as the run did not fully develop for him to improve between the aforementioned runners, he elected to switch back to the inside of MYTHICAL EMPEROR to obtain clear running near the 250 Metres. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on GOLDEN DASH at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN DASH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of GOKO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VOYAGE KING, HIGH FIVE and ENDEARING were sent for sampling.