18/12/2021  Shatin  Race 1

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between CHIU CHOW BROTHER and WONDERFUL HORSE which shifted in. BLAZING SUN lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then was crowded for room between VAMOS and SALUTATION which shifted out. After this, BLAZING SUN was shifted across behind runners. From the outside barriers, CLASSIC MOON and JOYFUL GENIUS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. When being steadied to obtain cover, CLASSIC MOON was bumped by VAMOS which shifted out. After travelling a short distance, CHIU CHOW BROTHER and WONDERFUL HORSE raced tight and brushed on a number of occasions. Near the 950 Metres, SALUTATION got its head up when travelling keenly and racing tight inside NAMJONG CORTEZ. VAMOS made the first turn near the 900 Metres awkwardly and shifted out. After this, VAMOS travelled wide and without cover and near the 700 Metres was bumped by WONDERFUL HORSE which shifted out away from the heels of SMART WONGCHOY. VAMOS continued to lay out making the turns and in the early part of the Straight. At the 900 Metres, SALUTATION was crowded for room between NAMJONG CORTEZ and PRESIDENT’S CHOICE, both of which shifted ground marginally. C L Chau (SMART WONGCHOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 900 Metres he failed to make sufficient endeavours to prevent his mount from shifting in, resulting in CHIU CHOW BROTHER being crowded for room and taken in onto SUPER HIGHWAY, causing SUPER HIGHWAY to be crowded for room and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 12 January 2022 and to expire on Monday, 17 January 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Near the 650 Metres, SUPER HIGHWAY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHIU CHOW BROTHER which shifted out, resulting in SALUTATION racing in restricted room inside NAMJONG CORTEZ which got its head on the side and lay in after being bumped on the hindquarters by SALUTATION. SMART WONGCHOY travelled keenly passing the 600 Metres. Approaching the 500 Metres, SALUTATION got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of NAMJONG CORTEZ. At the entrance to the Straight, SALUTATION then shifted out and bumped NAMJONG CORTEZ. Approaching the 400 Metres, FIRE BALL and SMART WONGCHOY brushed. SUPER HIGHWAY was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 300 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WONDERFUL HORSE when disappointed for running outside that horse as BLAZING SUN shifted to the inside of VAMOS. SUPER HIGHWAY was then shifted in away from the heels of CHIU CHOW BROTHER passing the 250 Metres. SUPER HIGHWAY was steadied approaching the 100 Metres when disappointed for running between CHIU CHOW BROTHER and PRESIDENT’S CHOICE which, when attempting to improve to the outside of SMART WONGCHOY, was taken out marginally by that horse which shifted out under pressure. Passing the 300 Metres, SALUTATION lay out and inconvenienced NAMJONG CORTEZ. Also passing the 300 Metres, BLAZING SUN was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of WONDERFUL HORSE when attempting to shift to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. Then after the 300 Metres, BLAZING SUN (K Teetan) was shifted out away from the heels of WONDERFUL HORSE and in doing so brushed the hindquarters of VAMOS. Then as BLAZING SUN improved to be racing between VAMOS and WONDERFUL HORSE, BLAZING SUN shifted out further and bumped VAMOS approaching the 200 Metres which then shifted out away from BLAZING SUN, causing VAMOS to be checked away from the heels of SALUTATION. Whilst the Stewards accepted that VAMOS’ racing manners at this time had played a large part in this incident, nonetheless K Teetan was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground to improve into tight running in similar circumstances. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WONDERFUL HORSE, J Moreira stated that after becoming unbalanced as a result of having to shift out away from the heels of SMART WONGCHOY approaching the 700 Metres, his mount did not travel comfortably after this. He said WONDERFUL HORSE came under pressure prior to the 500 Metres and after initially staying on satisfactorily in the early part of the Straight then gave ground over the latter stages of the race. A veterinary inspection of WONDERFUL HORSE immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of WONDERFUL HORSE, which finished at the rear of the field as a favourite today, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WONDERFUL HORSE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FIRE BALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WONDERFUL HORSE, CLASSIC MOON and SMART WONGCHOY were sent for sampling.