15/12/2019  Shatin  Race 1

COLONEL, which kicked a rail on the way to the Start, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the barriers and found to be suitable to race. WAR OF COURAGE and AURORA STEED bumped at the start. WE THE SOUTH began awkwardly and was slow to begin. TRUST ME began awkwardly. PACKING NOBLESSE began very awkwardly, got its head up on jumping, shifted out and bumped TANG TREASURE which became unbalanced. Then after travelling a short distance, PACKING NOBLESSE was checked when crowded for room between COLONEL which was taken out by VALIANT DREAM and TANG TREASURE which shifted in away from the heels of SMART OF YOUTH. Approaching the 900 Metres, WE THE SOUTH shifted out abruptly across the heels of BRAVERY AND POWER, causing KA FORTUNE to be inconvenienced. At the 800 Metres, AURORA STEED, which had been laying out, was directed out away from the heels of WAR OF COURAGE (C Schofield) which shifted out when not properly clear. TRUST ME, which was racing outside AURORA STEED, was inconvenienced in consequence. C Schofield was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the racing manners of AURORA STEED had not aided the situation, nonetheless he must ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 550 Metres, WE THE SOUTH travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed behind VALIANT DREAM. After this, WE THE SOUTH continued to travel keenly and near the 500 Metres was bumped by SPARKLING LIFE which shifted in away from the heels of WAR OF COURAGE. WE THE SOUTH became unbalanced and then shifted in, causing SPARKLING LIFE to be badly crowded for room outside TRUST ME which was taken out by AURORA STEED (S de Sousa) which got its head on the side and lay out. In this incident, WE THE SOUTH became badly unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by SPARKLING LIFE. Whilst the Stewards accepted that AURORA STEED was laying out, nonetheless S de Sousa was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Passing the 500 Metres, TANG TREASURE was eased when racing in restricted room outside the heels of COLONEL. Near the 300 Metres, TARGET FINDER was momentarily crowded for room inside PACKING NOBLESSE which shifted in. TARGET FINDER was then steadied away from the heels of PACKING NOBLESSE near the 250 Metres after racing in restricted room between that horse and BRAVERY AND POWER. Approaching the 200 Metres, AURORA STEED shifted out and bumped TRUST ME. Near the 50 Metres, SPARKLING LIFE was steadied when crowded for room between WE THE SOUTH and TARGET FINDER which shifted out away from the heels of PACKING NOBLESSE. Passing the 50 Metres, U Rispoli (TANG TREASURE) dropped his whip. U Rispoli, the rider of 6th placegetter, TANG TREASURE, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride his mount out all the way to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. U Rispoli was fined the sum of $15,000. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that STAR OF THEHARBOUR had bled from both nostrils. SMART OF YOUTH, VALIANT DREAM and WAR OF COURAGE were sent for sampling.