12/12/2021  Shatin  Race 8

LEI PAPALE began awkwardly. BERLIN TANGO lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected. BOLSHOI BALLET and RUSSIAN EMPEROR brushed at the start. From the outside barriers, TOURBILLON DIAMOND and HISHI IGUAZU were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1600 Metres, PANFIELD became unbalanced momentarily when crowded for room inside MAC SWINEY which then shifted out and improved forward of PANFIELD. For some distance approaching and passing the 1300 Metres, LEI PAPALE travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LOVES ONLY YOU. After the 900 Metres, LEI PAPALE was steadied away from the heels of LOVES ONLY YOU. BOLSHOI BALLET travelled wide and without cover until near the 850 Metres at which time GLORIOUS DRAGON was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, DUBAI HONOUR raced very tight between PANFIELD and LEI PAPALE when improving into restricted room between those horses. At the entrance to the Straight, PANFIELD attempted to improve into tight running inside MAC SWINEY which was not fully available. As PANFIELD was attempting to improve its position, MAC SWINEY was taken in marginally by LOVES ONLY YOU which shifted in away from the heels of BOLSHOI BALLET. This resulted in PANFIELD being checked when unable to secure running to the inside of MAC SWINEY. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was not sufficient room for PANFIELD to improve inside MAC SWINEY and that the riders of both MAC SWINEY and LOVES ONLY YOU would have been unaware that that horse was attempting to improve its position at this time, no further action was taken. T Marquand (DUBAI HONOUR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 300 Metres he directed his mount to the outside of BOLSHOI BALLET and into running which was not available, resulting in DUBAI HONOUR making contact with GLORIOUS DRAGON on a number of occasions, causing GLORIOUS DRAGON to be hampered when crowded for room between DUBAI HONOUR and BERLIN TANGO. In the circumstances, T Marquand was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 27 December 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 6 January 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). Passing the 100 Metres, HISHI IGUAZU lay in under pressure and bumped LOVES ONLY YOU. After the race, LOVES ONLY YOU was found to be lame in the left hind leg and to have sustained a laceration to that leg. On return to the quarantine facility, LOVES ONLY YOU was again examined by the Veterinary Surgeon who said that there was no obvious lameness associated with the horse at that time. A veterinary inspection of PANFIELD immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of MAC SWINEY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LOVES ONLY YOU and HISHI IGUAZU were sent for sampling.