11/04/2021  Shatin  Race 11

SILVER EXPRESS shifted out at the start and bumped INVINCIBLE MISSILE. SILVER EXPRESS then shifted in and bumped RACING FIGHTER which began awkwardly. SUPER BUDDY began only fairly and after being momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROMAN TURBO on jumping was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier to obtain cover. From a wide barrier, GOLD CHEST was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1000 Metres, SHINING GEM was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 900 Metres, ARTHUR’S KINGDOM was checked away from the heels of SUPER WEALTHY which, when proving very difficult to settle, got its head up on a number of occasions when racing close to the heels of ROMAN TURBO. Passing the 250 Metres, SUPER WEALTHY raced tight outside ROMAN TURBO which got its head on the side and lay out. Close to the finishing line, INVINCIBLE MISSILE was awkwardly placed behind ROMAN TURBO. Throughout the race, ROMAN TURBO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, A Badel stated that he had discussions prior to the race with the connections of ROMAN TURBO on how the horse should be ridden from a wide barrier. He said it was felt that HINCHINLOVE and HIGHLY PROACTIVE would lead and there would be an opportunity for ROMAN TURBO to obtain a position behind those horses given that it was believed that there were a number of horses in the race which would be positioned in about midfield or worse, therefore it was decided for ROMAN TURBO to be ridden positively and obtain a position behind the leaders if possible. He said it was intended for ROMAN TURBO to be ridden more forward than it was at its most recent start, however, on that occasion the horse did not begin as well as anticipated and the pace of the race was such that ROMAN TURBO raced further back in the field than had been intended. He said after obtaining a forward position, he steadied ROMAN TURBO approaching and passing the 1200 Metres to obtain a trailing position behind HINCHINLOVE, however, NOT USUAL TALENT was ridden along after the 1000 Metres to maintain its position and this resulted in ROMAN TURBO being left racing three wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident occurred approaching the 200 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether SILVER EXPRESS should be declared the 3rd placegetter. It was established that approaching the 200 Metres, when being ridden out, SILVER EXPRESS ran out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in ROMAN TURBO being badly hampered and taken out onto SUPER WEALTHY which was also hampered. It was also established that at the 150 Metres SUPER WEALTHY was racing on about terms with SILVER EXPRESS and then despite having clear and uninterrupted running for the remainder of the race was not able to make ground on SILVER EXPRESS. As the Stewards were of the opinion that SUPER WEALTHY had the opportunity to beat SILVER EXPRESS after the incident at the 200 Metres, they elected not to proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing. Whilst it did not have any bearing on the final decision of the Stewards, it should be noted that both Z Purton, the rider of SUPER WEALTHY, and Mr D J Whyte, the trainer of that horse, elected not to enter a formal protest/objection against SILVER EXPRESS despite viewing the videos on a number of occasions prior to the Stewards making their decision. As the Stewards were of the opinion that SILVER EXPRESS’ racing manners had caused this incident and that J Moreira, the rider of that horse, had reacted as quickly as possible to the abrupt shift out from SILVER EXPRESS, no action was taken against J Moreira. Given the manner in which SILVER EXPRESS shifted out abruptly today and the horse’s previous racing history in Hong Kong, the Stewards ruled that prior to being permitted to race again, that horse will be required to barrier trial satisfactorily under pressure. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on GUY DRAGON at the request of Trainer C Fownes. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GUY DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FLAGSHIP GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SILVER EXPRESS, HINCHINLOVE and ROMAN TURBO were sent for sampling.