06/09/2020  Shatin  Race 9

UNCLE STEVE bumped the outside of its barrier on jumping and consequently began only fairly. STAR PERFORMANCE began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of ALCARI which shifted out. HONGKONG GREAT began only fairly. TIANCHI MONSTER and GREAT TREASURE were crowded for room on jumping between THE HULK and GIFT OF LIFELINE which began awkwardly and shifted out. After this, from the outside barriers, TIANCHI MONSTER and GREAT TREASURE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, CORDYCEPS was slow to muster speed and consequently travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. Passing the 1100 Metres, PERFECT PAIR was awkwardly placed close to the heels of REGENCY BO BO. Passing the 900 Metres, TIANCHI MONSTER commenced to travel keenly and when being checked away from the heels of UNCLE STEVE got its head on the side and shifted out and became awkwardly placed near the heels of GIFT OF LIFELINE, resulting in TIANCHI MONSTER losing ground. After the 800 Metres, PERFECT PAIR was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 650 Metres, TIANCHI MONSTER was momentarily crowded for room inside GIFT OF LIFELINE which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXCELLENT PROPOSAL. Rounding the Home Turn, EXCELLENT PROPOSAL was awkwardly placed when attempting to improve between UNCLE STEVE and ALCARI where there was insufficient room. Passing the 300 Metres, THE HULK and PERFECT PAIR raced tight. Passing the 250 Metres, ALCARI was shifted to the outside of REGENCY BO BO after being disappointed for running between that horse and CORDYCEPS which was taken out by TOP SCORE. Passing the 200 Metres, GIFT OF LIFELINE was steadied when disappointed for running between ALCARI and EXCELLENT PROPOSAL (J Moreira) which shifted out. J Moreira was reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Passing the 100 Metres, CORDYCEPS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of UNCLE STEVE which was taken out by TOP SCORE. H N Wong (GREAT TREASURE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure which resulted in THE HULK being hampered when taken in across the rightful running of GIFT OF LIFELINE which was also hampered. H N Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 23 September 2020 and to expire on Monday, 28 September 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Wong’s good race riding record. Close to the finishing line, TOP SCORE was awkwardly placed outside the heels of STAR PERFORMANCE which shifted out under pressure. Consequently, TOP SCORE was unable to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. When questioned, N Callan stated that, from the outside barrier, he was instructed to ride THE HULK in about midfield with cover. He said although THE HULK began very well, having regard to his instructions, he was reluctant to ride the horse for early speed and therefore elected not to press forward on THE HULK but rather to ride to his instructions. He said he allowed horses drawn to the inside of THE HULK to obtain a forward position and shifted across with PRIVATE COUNCIL in the early stages with a view to obtaining cover. He said when PRIVATE COUNCIL was able to improve its position inside PERFECT PAIR after the 1000 Metres, he was able to shift THE HULK in to obtain cover behind PRIVATE COUNCIL which was slightly further back in the field than had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of CORDYCEPS, ALCARI and PERFECT PAIR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EXCELLENT PROPOSAL and STAR PERFORMANCE were sent for sampling.