20/06/2021  Shatin  Race 7

RATTAN shifted out at the start and bumped JOLLY BANNER. When RATTAN and JOLLY BANNER bumped, HEALTHY HAPPY, which had begun only fairly, was hampered when bumped by JOLLY BANNER. VOYAGE WARRIOR shifted out at the start and bumped BUDDIES. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, MIGHTY GIANT was slow to muster speed. Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, CHAMPION’S WAY commenced to race very keenly and was checked away from the heels of RATTAN which itself was awkwardly placed behind JOLLY BANNER which got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of VOYAGE WARRIOR as that horse obtained cover behind BUDDIES. After the 700 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT was left racing wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of NOT USUAL TALENT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, NOT USUAL TALENT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Passing the 500 Metres, MIGHTY GIANT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HEALTHY HAPPY when being shifted to the outside of that horse. Passing the 150 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT and VOYAGE WARRIOR raced tight. Approaching the 100 Metres, SKY DARCI got its head on the side and lay in. M F Poon (LUCKY PATCH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift out, resulting in RATTAN being checked when unnecessarily crowded for room between LUCKY PATCH and SKY DARCI. M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 4 July 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 8 July 2021 which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Poon’s good race riding record. When questioned, J Moreira stated that from barrier 2, it was hoped that SKY DARCI would be able to obtain a position behind midfield. He said however despite being ridden along in the early stages, SKY DARCI, which was dropping back in distance, failed to muster sufficient speed despite being ridden along which resulted in the horse racing towards the rear of the field in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY HAPPY immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY HAPPY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SKY FIELD and SKY DARCI were sent for sampling.