11/10/2020  Shatin  Race 5

LUCKY QUALITY shifted out at the start and made contact with THE DRIVE. Shortly after the start, MALDIVES shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of APEX TOP which became unbalanced. From the outside barrier, GOLDEN FOUR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1350 Metres, BEST FOR YOU was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of CASIMIRO when being shifted across behind that horse. Passing the 1200 Metres, MALDIVES was eased away from the heels of CHAIRMAN LO which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of LUCKY QUALITY. Passing the 300 Metres, BEST FOR YOU was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of CHAIRMAN LO. Then passing the 200 Metres, BEST FOR YOU was directed out away from the heels of APEX TOP which shifted out to obtain clear running. Approaching the 250 Metres, GOLDEN FOUR got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of THE DRIVE which shifted out marginally. Apprentice C L Chau (GOLDEN FOUR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that he permitted his mount to shift in when riding it out passing the winning post which resulted in THE DRIVE being crowded for room and being directed in which caused MALDIVES to be severely checked after passing the winning post and to stumble badly when taken in onto the hindquarters of BEST FOR YOU which also became badly unbalanced. Apprentice Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 8 November 2020 and to expire on Thursday, 12 November 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Chau was fined $15,000. When questioned, K C Leung (ROMAN IMPERO) stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position and it was acceptable for him to either lead or if the rider of any horse or horses was intent on leading, then it was available to him to obtain a trailing position. He said in the early stages he rode his mount along to obtain a forward position as instructed and at the 1200 Metres was racing to the outside of LUCKY QUALITY. He said he anticipated that that horse would shift across to race outside CASIMIRO which would allow ROMAN IMPERO the opportunity to improve forward of LUCKY QUALITY and either lead or sit outside CASIMIRO. He said after the 1200 Metres LUCKY QUALITY was required to stride forward to clear CHAIRMAN LO to its inside which resulted in that horse not being able to cross CHAIRMAN LO until approaching the 1000 Metres. He added as the pace of the race was quite good at this stage, he did not believe it was available to him to continue forward of LUCKY QUALITY as he would have had to make too much use of the horse. He said when the pace of the race continued to be solid, he attempted to obtain a trailing position, however, as CHAIRMAN LO had established its position behind LUCKY QUALITY, this resulted in ROMAN IMPERO racing in a three wide position and without cover throughout. Having regard to the sectionals of the race at the relevant stages, the Stewards took no further action. A veterinary inspection of ROMAN IMPERO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CHAIRMAN LO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CASIMIRO, APEX TOP and GOLDEN FOUR were sent for sampling.