01/10/2020  Shatin  Race 9

PRIVATE COUNCIL was withdrawn on 29.9.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left front tendon injury). Before being allowed to race again, PRIVATE COUNCIL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HEZA BEAUTY began awkwardly and then was crowded for room inside CALIFORNIA LEVEE which shifted in abruptly. GLORIOUS LOVER shifted out at the start and made contact with TRUST ME. CIRCUIT HASSLER was bumped by WISDOM PATCH on jumping. CIRCUIT HASSLER then shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of GLORIOUS LOVER, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. From the outside barrier, UNCLE STEVE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1350 Metres, WISDOM PATCH raced tight outside WORLD FAMOUS which shifted out. Approaching the 950 Metres, CIRCUIT HASSLER raced tight inside CALIFORNIA LEVEE which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider. At the entrance to the Straight, HEZA BEAUTY was shifted to the inside of CIRCUIT HASSLER after being disappointed for running between CALIFORNIA LEVEE and CIRCUIT HASSLER which shifted out. As the Stewards were satisfied that HEZA BEAUTY had not established running to the outside of CIRCUIT HASSLER, no further action was taken. At the 400 Metres, CALIFORNIA LEVEE raced tight outside CIRCUIT HASSLER which shifted to the outside of GLORIOUS LOVER. C Y Ho (WORLD FAMOUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 400 Metres he directed his mount out when not clear of FLYING VICTORY, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. C Y Ho 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). In addition, Jockey Ho was fined $30,000. Passing the 300 Metres, FLYING VICTORY was awkwardly placed outside WORLD FAMOUS which shifted out. After the race, A Hamelin (MARVEL DRAGON) reported that he rode his mount vigorously for a considerable distance in the early stages from a wide barrier to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said, despite being ridden along, MARVEL DRAGON was slow to muster speed and he was unable to cross runners to his inside which resulted in the horse being left racing wide and without cover throughout the race. He added that MARVEL DRAGON made an abnormal breathing noise throughout the race which, in his opinion, explained the horse’s failure to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MARVEL DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, B Shinn stated that after FLYING MIGHTY was taken across behind runners from the wide barrier as instructed, he had to ride his mount along throughout the early and middle stages to prevent it from becoming more detached from the field than it was. He said the pace of the race in the middle stages was strong which resulted in FLYING MIGHTY always being off the bridle. He said he continually rode his mount along to have it as close to the field as possible and it was not until making the Home Turn that FLYING MIGHTY commenced to improve its position. He added he continued to ride the horse out in the Straight and FLYING MIGHTY then finished off the race strongly. A veterinary inspection of WORLD FAMOUS and FLYING VICTORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CIRCUIT HASSLER and HEZA BEAUTY were sent for sampling.