05/04/2021  Shatin  Race 9

AMAZING STAR shifted out at the start and inconvenienced BIG PARTY. From the outside barrier, REGENCY LEGEND was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. WELLINGTON was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover from a wide barrier. After traveling a short distance, WISHFUL THINKER raced in restricted room between BIG PARTY and FAT TURTLE. A Badel (WELLINGTON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SKY FIELD, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 17 April 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 22 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Badel’s good race riding record. Near the 900 Metres, FAT TURTLE raced tight inside WELLINGTON which shifted in before shifting out to relieve the tightening. Passing the 900 Metres, AMAZING STAR got its head up when momentarily racing tight inside BIG PARTY which got its head on the side and lay in away from WINNING DREAMER despite the efforts of its rider. When BIG PARTY was shifted out to relieve the tightening to AMAZING STAR, WINNING DREAMER was taken out and then raced wide and without cover. STRONGER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 200 Metres, STRONGER was shifted in away from the heels of BIG PARTY to continue improving. When questioned regarding the improved performance of AMAZING STAR, Trainer K H Ting said today’s win surprised him as it was not anticipated that the horse would be able to improve such to be winning this race. He said, in his opinion, today’s race was somewhat less strong than the races that AMAZING STAR had been racing of late. He added AMAZING STAR appreciated the tempo of the race as it allowed the horse to relax and then finish off the race. After the race, Z Purton (SKY FIELD) was not able to offer any tangible reason for the disappointing performance of the horse. He said SKY FIELD did not quicken in the early part of the Straight and then did not finish off the race as well as had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of SKY FIELD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, M F Poon stated that after having to travel wide and without cover for the majority of the race, WINNING DREAMER came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then weakened over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of WINNING DREAMER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, A Badel stated that, in his opinion, WELLINGTON was disappointing in today’s race. He said from the wide barrier he was able to obtain a position three wide but with cover in about midfield and WELLINGTON travelled well in the early and middle stages. He said after shifting to the outside of WINNING DREAMER at the entrance to the Straight, WELLINGTON did not quicken as it had when he had ridden the horse previously. He said he placed WELLINGTON under heavy pressure in the Straight, however, the horse did not finish off the race as strongly as it had previously. He added after the race WELLINGTON pulled up quickly, however, the horse felt comfortable in its action and there was nothing immediately after the race which explained the horse’s failure to quicken in the early part of the Straight as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of WELLINGTON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BIG PARTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY LEGEND 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, REGENCY LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WELLINGTON, AMAZING STAR and STRONGER were sent for sampling.