01/10/2020  Shatin  Race 2

HAPPY SEBRING stood flat-footed as the start was effected and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground. As this was the second occasion within its last three starts that HAPPY SEBRING had been very slow to begin, the Stewards ruled that it must undergo a series of consecutive satisfactory barrier trials prior to before being permitted to race again. MORE THAN A HORSE was slow to begin and then lost further ground when steadied away from the heels of TANGMERE which shifted out abruptly. GOD OF DRAGON began awkwardly. Passing the 1600 Metres, XIANG BAI QI raced tight inside TANGMERE which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider. Passing the 700 Metres, HAPPY SEBRING shifted out marginally and bumped XIANG BAI QI. At the 200 Metres, HAPPY SEBRING was shifted in away from the heels of TANGMERE which shifted in. Z Purton, the rider of VINCY, and Dr A Prabhu, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulatory Operations, were interviewed regarding VINCY being found to have been marked following the race. Z Purton was subsequently fined the sum of $10,000. When questioned regarding his riding of XIANG BAI QI after the 700 Metres, Apprentice C L Chau stated that at about the 700 Metres he became aware of a runner improving to his outside and for this reason he commenced to shift his mount out marginally to the outside of TANGMERE. He said when VINCY was advancing to the outside of XIANG BAI QI approaching the 600 Metres, he commenced to shift out further, however, VINCY improved quickly around XIANG BAI QI which resulted in XIANG BAI QI being awkwardly placed close to the heels of TANGMERE when unable to proceed between that horse and VINCY. Apprentice Chau, in the presence of Mr F Coetzee, Chief Riding Instructor, was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in not fully establishing his position to the outside of TANGMERE prior to VINCY being able to improve its position around XIANG BAI QI. He was further told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that they are afforded clear running and are able to improve into more advantageous positions when available. A veterinary inspection of DIVINE UNICORN immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. LONDON HALL and VINCY were sent for sampling.