01/09/2019  Shatin  Race 5

As the start was effected, DASHING DART bounded in the air, resulting in the horse losing ground. DASHING DART then proved difficult to settle in the early stages. DIONYSUS COLLIN and ROMAN ODYSSEY bumped at the start. After this, DIONYSUS COLLIN, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners in an attempt to obtain cover and then was left racing wide and without cover near the 1000 Metres. Also from the outside barrier, MR MAGELLAN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 600 Metres, ROYAL RACER lost its right front plate. Passing the 600 Metres, ROYAL RACER and VOYAGE KING raced tight as VOYAGE KING shifted out from behind CASIMIRO. In the Straight, PEARL CHAMPION lay in under pressure. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred near the 50 Metres which cast doubt on whether SUNSHINE WARRIOR should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently J Moreira, the rider of CASIMIRO, 2nd placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against SUNSHINE WARRIOR (A Domeyer) being declared the winner alleging interference over the concluding stages. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was established that in the Straight SUNSHINE WARRIOR had come from some distance behind CASIMIRO to race on terms with CASIMIRO approaching the 50 Metres. It was further found that approaching the 100 Metres SUNSHINE WARRIOR commenced to shift in and shifted in a number of horses before making heavy contact with CASIMIRO approaching the 50 Metres, resulting in CASIMIRO becoming badly unbalanced and J Moreira also becoming badly unbalanced and being unable to ride his mount out over the concluding stages. Whilst the margin between the two horses at the finish of the race was three quarters of a length, the Stewards were of the opinion that the margin was significantly greater than it would have been if not for the significant contact between the two horses. However, having regard to the manner in which SUNSHINE WARRIOR had come from some lengths behind CASIMIRO to race on terms with that horse at the time of the contact, the Stewards could not be satisfied that if not for the contact between the two horses, CASIMIRO would have won the race. Accordingly, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, A Domeyer pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure, resulting in SUNSHINE WARRIOR making significant contact with CASIMIRO and causing that horse to become badly unbalanced and in turn shift in and hamper VIVA COUNCIL which was also crowded for room. A Domeyer was advised that the Stewards had considered charging him with reckless riding, however, in the circumstances, they were satisfied that a charge of careless riding was appropriate albeit there was high level of carelessness exhibited by him, particularly considering the amount of ground that SUNSHINE WARRIOR had shifted in prior to making contact with CASIMIRO and that he had used the whip on SUNSHINE WARRIOR after that horse made contact with CASIMIRO. The Stewards considered in the circumstances that the appropriate penalty was for Jockey Domeyer’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Sunday, 15 September 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 26 September 2019 on which day he may resume race riding. During that period, there are four racemeetings scheduled to be conducted in Hong Kong. After the race, C Schofield stated that ROYAL RACER was disappointing in that after obtaining a good position behind the speed, the horse came under pressure near the 600 Metres when he was unable to prevent VOYAGE KING from shifting out to his inside. He said then in the Straight ROYAL RACER did not close off the race and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of ROYAL RACER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MR MAGELLAN, SUNSHINE WARRIOR and CASIMIRO were sent for sampling.