23/01/2019  Happy Valley  Race 8

GOLD LAND was withdrawn on 22.1.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ELECTRIC LIGHTNING (K Teetan). Before being allowed to race again, GOLD LAND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STARSHIP was crowded for room on jumping between HAPPY SPIRIT and TANG FLEMING, both of which shifted ground. SLEEP EDUCATION and ELECTRIC LIGHTNING bumped on jumping. After this, both horses were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the outside barrier, RACING LUCK was shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, ARCADA failed to muster speed and then passing the winning post on the first occasion commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BANK ON RED. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, FEARLESS FIRE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of THUNDER STOMP. Rounding the Home Turn, THUNDER STOMP and FEARLESS FIRE raced tight as THUNDER STOMP was taken out by ARCADA (G van Niekerk) which shifted to the outside of TANG FLEMING to obtain clear running. G van Niekerk was severely reprimanded. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by G van Niekerk, the rider of ARCADA, which finished 2nd, against BANK ON RED, which finished 1st, alleging interference to his mount over the concluding stages. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the official videos, the Stewards found that near the 75 Metres BANK ON RED shifted out and brushed ARCADA and after this BANK ON RED and ARCADA raced tight before ARCADA shifting in close to the finishing line and in turn brushed BANK ON RED. Having regard to the minor degree of contact between BANK ON RED and ARCADA and the head margin between the horses at the end of the race, the Stewards overruled the protest/objection and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. The Stewards will speak with G van Niekerk prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 27 January 2019 regarding the need to ensure that there are sufficient grounds for a protest/objection prior to one being entered. BANK ON RED and ARCADA were sent for sampling.