24/02/2019  Shatin  Race 10

OWNERS’ STAR began only fairly. From the outside barriers, HANG’S DECISION and GOOD FIT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn after the winning post on the first occasion, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of KIRAM. KIRAM then raced tight between RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE and KING GENKI which was racing tight inside LAST KINGDOM. For some distance after the 1300 Metres, VOLPINO raced tight inside KIRAM which was taken in by GLORIOUS ARTIST which improved quickly to be racing inside the heels of WON WON TOO (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in. This resulted in VOLPINO being checked near the 1200 Metres. As the Stewards could not be satisfied to the necessary degree that GLORIOUS ARTIST had properly established running to the inside of WON WON TOO prior to that horse shifting in, they did not proceed to a charge of careless riding. However, Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is aware of the positioning of other horses so as to ensure that interference is not caused in races. A veterinary inspection of VOLPINO immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also found that horse to have sustained a wound to the outside of the left front cannon. Before being allowed to race again, VOLPINO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. At the 600 Metres, WON WON TOO, which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover, was bumped by GLORIOUS ARTIST which shifted out when improving between WON WON TOO and RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE. M Harley (RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 500 Metres he directed his mount to the outside of LAST KINGDOM when not clear of GLORIOUS ARTIST, resulting in RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE shifting out abruptly and causing GLORIOUS ARTIST to be checked and forced wider. M Harley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 27 February 2019 and to expire on Sunday, 3 March 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). At the entrance to the Straight, MONGOLIAN LEGEND was steadied when disappointed for running between WON WON TOO which was giving ground and UNICRON JEWELLERY which shifted out. UNICRON JEWELLERY was then steadied and shifted to the inside of CHEERFUL GIGGLES to improve. Passing the 100 Metres, UNICRON JEWELLERY was hampered when improving into tight running inside RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE which shifted in under pressure. KIRAM, which was racing to the inside of UNICRON JEWELLERY, was inconvenienced in consequence. The performance of WON WON TOO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WON WON TOO 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 MONGOLIAN LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING GENKI and GLORIOUS ARTIST were sent for sampling.