13/06/2021  Shatin  Race 9

KAI XIN DRAGON, which was fractious in the barriers, turned its head to the left on jumping, resulting in the horse being slow to begin. RUN RUN COOL shifted out at the start and bumped SEVEN HEAVENS. SEVEN HEAVENS and RUN RUN COOL were then hampered a short distance after the start by FLYING BONUS which shifted out. A Hamelin (RESOLUTE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SEVEN HEAVENS, resulting in that horse having to be checked when unnecessarily crowded for room inside RESOLUTE and when being checked shifting in and bumping RUN RUN COOL. A Hamelin was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Thursday, 1 July 2021 and to expire on Monday, 5 July 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Hamelin was fined $40,000. Approaching the 700 Metres, RESOLUTE raced tight inside the heels of STRIKING MR C which got its head on the side and lay in. After being bumped by SUNSET WATCH near the 650 Metres, RUN RUN COOL shifted out away from that horse, resulting in KAI XIN DRAGON being checked when crowded for room inside MEGA HEART. As the Stewards were of the opinion that this incident was attributable to RUN RUN COOL shifting out of its own accord rather than any rider carelessness, no further action was taken. At the entrance to the Straight, STAR OF YUEN LONG attempted to improve into tight running between FLYING BONUS and RESOLUTE, resulting in STAR OF YUEN LONG bumping the hindquarters of RESOLUTE which caused both horses to become unbalanced. STAR OF YUEN LONG then continued to be awkwardly placed when attempting to improve into restricted room and near the 200 Metres was directed to the outside of RESOLUTE when disappointed for running between that horse and FLYING BONUS which shifted out when giving ground. Throughout the race, MAN STAR and STRIKING MR C travelled wide and without cover. After the race, it was reported that GUNNISON had lost its left hind plate. Also after the race, Apprentice K H Chan stated that he had ridden FLYING BONUS in the lead up to today’s race and that work had been good. He said FLYING BONUS did not travel comfortably at any stage of the race. He said because of the manner in which the horse commenced to give ground in the early part of the Straight after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn, he was of the opinion that FLYING BONUS did not handle today’s track conditions. A veterinary inspection of FLYING BONUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HARMONY SPIRIT, Apprentice C L Chau stated that he was instructed to follow SEVEN HEAVENS as it was felt that this was a horse that would be able to take HARMONY SPIRIT into the race. He said he had to ride his mount along in the early stages in an endeavour to follow SEVEN HEAVENS and, despite being ridden along, HARMONY SPIRIT was reluctant to maintain its position. He said he had to make a lot of use of HARMONY SPIRIT in the early stages in an endeavour to have it improve its position, however, HARMONY SPIRIT was resenting the kickback and was reluctant to improve. He added rounding the Home Turn he shifted HARMONY SPIRIT to the outside of runners and the horse finished off the race one-paced. He said HARMONY SPIRIT’s disappointing performance was solely attributable to the horse resenting the kickback on today’s track surface. A veterinary inspection of HARMONY SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of KAI XIN DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SEVEN HEAVENS, MAN STAR and GUNNISON were sent for sampling.