27/09/2020  Shatin  Race 3

KING DRAGON began awkwardly and lost ground. GOLDEN FOUR began awkwardly, shifted in and was steadied away from the heels of THE DRIVE which shifted out. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CHAIRMAN LO failed to muster speed. Approaching the 1200 Metres, BEST FOR YOU was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GOLDEN FOUR due to both horses shifting ground. BEST FOR YOU was then steadied after the 1200 Metres to obtain cover behind GOLDEN FOUR. M Chadwick (THE DRIVE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DIAMOND RHYME, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 21 October 2020 and to expire on Sunday, 25 October 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Passing the 800 Metres, DIAMOND RHYME was awkwardly placed behind THE DRIVE. After the 600 Metres, COPARTNER ERA got its head up when awkwardly placed behind VICTORIOUS LEADER and when racing tight inside GO GOAL TOBY. COPARTNER ERA was then held up for clear running for some distance in the early part of the Straight and after being shifted in to the inside of VICTORIOUS LEADER passing the 300 Metres was again held up for clear running and near the 250 Metres raced tight outside KING DRAGON which raced in restricted room between COPARTNER ERA and DIAMOND RHYME. COPARTNER ERA then continued to be held up for clear running and at the 200 Metres was checked when disappointed for running between HAPPY TANGO and VICTORIOUS LEADER which shifted in marginally. In this incident, COPARTNER ERA stumbled. COPARTNER ERA continued to be held up for clear running until the concluding stages. KING DRAGON was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. KING DRAGON was again held up for clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres and then after briefly obtaining clear running was steadied when held up for clear running behind THE DRIVE approaching the 100 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, DIAMOND RHYME was shifted to the inside of THE DRIVE to obtain clear running. GOLDEN FOUR (B Shinn) lay in under pressure in the Straight and over the concluding stages raced tight outside GO GOAL TOBY, resulting in B Shinn having difficulty riding his mount out close to the finishing line. A veterinary inspection of CHAIRMAN LO and BEST FOR YOU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND RHYME immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DIAMOND RHYME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DIAMOND RHYME, GO GOAL TOBY and GOLDEN FOUR were sent for sampling.