08/05/2021  Shatin  Race 9

GALLANT EXPRESS began only fairly. HEAVENLY THOUGHT was crowded for room on jumping between SUPER TEN and TRUE LEGEND, both of which shifted ground. HEAVENLY THOUGHT then travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, NOBLE STEED failed to muster speed. Approaching the 800 Metres, SOULMATE became badly unbalanced of its own accord and lost ground. MERIDIAN GENIUS, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of that horse, resulting in TIANCHI MONSTER, which was following MERIDIAN GENIUS, being checked to avoid the heels of that horse. SMART LEADER, which was following TIANCHI MONSTER, was inconvenienced in consequence. Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of SOULMATE, was advised that the Stewards will monitor the racing manners of the horse in its future starts and that any repetition of today’s incident may result in action being taken. After commencing to shift to the outside of GALLANT EXPRESS passing the 250 Metres, HALL OF CHAMP was directed to the inside of that horse passing the 200 Metres as GALLANT EXPRESS shifted out under pressure. K Teetan, the rider of 5th placed, TRUE LEGEND, was severely reprimanded for commencing to ease TRUE LEGEND down at about the 40 Metres before resuming riding out that horse close to the finishing line. K Teetan was advised that had TRUE LEGEND not finished in 5th position, then he would have been required to answer a charge of failing to ride his mount out all the way to the end of the race. K Teetan was told to ensure that he continues to ride his mounts out to the end of the race so that horses ridden by him are able to finish in the best possible position. In assessing this matter, the Stewards were satisfied that it was not possible that TRUE LEGEND would have finished in 4th position had Jockey Teetan continued to ride that horse out given the margin between TRUE LEGEND and GALLANT EXPRESS which finished in 4th position. A veterinary inspection of NOBLE STEED and HEAVENLY THOUGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GALLANT EXPRESS, SUPER TEN and HALL OF CHAMP were sent for sampling.