29/12/2021  Shatin  Race 4

LITTLE PLAYER shifted out at the start and bumped CROWN AVENUE. SPEED FORCE was crowded for room on jumping between TURF BRILLIANT and NOBLE MAN which shifted out. EL VALIENTE shifted in at the start and bumped SHANGHAI GRACE. From the outside barriers, EL VALIENTE and RUN DES RUN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being steadied from a wide barrier to obtain cover in the early stages, PRESIDENT STAR bumped with SHANGHAI GRACE, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. TURF BRILLIANT was also eased in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, SPEED FORCE was taken wider by LITTLE PLAYER which got its head on the side and lay out when being steadied to allow NOBLE MAN to cross. After this, SPEED FORCE travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 1100 Metres, EL VALIENTE was shifted out away from the heels of SMART COUSIN after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. At the entrance to the Straight, TURF BRILLIANT improved quickly outside the heels of PRIME STAR which was being shifted to the outside of LUCKY VICTOR. TURF BRILLIANT was then crowded for room between PRIME STAR which shifted out marginally and ALL YOU KNOW which shifted in marginally away from the heels of CROWN AVENUE. TURF BRILLIANT was then steadied away from the heels of PRIME STAR after the 300 Metres as that horse commenced to give ground. Approaching the 300 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER momentarily raced in restricted room between SHANGHAI GRACE and CROWN AVENUE which shifted out. Approaching the 200 Metres, CROWN AVENUE and SHANGHAI GRACE raced tight as CROWN AVENUE improved into running between SHANGHAI GRACE and SPEED FORCE. M F Poon (SPEED FORCE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of CROWN AVENUE, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and contributing to crowding to SHANGHAI GRACE which was also checked. M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 6 February 2022 and to expire on Thursday, 10 February 2022 on 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. R Maia (RUN DES RUN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in near the 150 Metres when not clear of SHANGHAI GRACE, resulting in SHANGHAI GRACE being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and contributing to CROWN AVENUE also being checked when crowded for room inside SHANGHAI GRACE. R Maia was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 January 2022 and to expire on Monday, 31 January 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Maia was fined $10,000. After the race, M L Yeung was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance of LUCKY VICTOR. He said in accordance with its usual racing pattern LUCKY VICTOR was able to obtain the lead in the early stages without having to be made use of. He said LUCKY VICTOR travelled well in the early and middle stages when able to lead outright. He said based on the manner in which LUCKY VICTOR had travelled in the lead, he expected the horse to finish off the race strongly. He added after the 600 Metres he commenced to ride his mount along, however, LUCKY VICTOR immediately came under pressure and lay out rounding the Home Turn. He said NOBLE MAN was able to improve its position outside LUCKY VICTOR at the 400 Metres and after this, despite being ridden along, LUCKY VICTOR did not respond to his riding and gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages to finish at the rear of the field. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY VICTOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LUCKY VICTOR, a favoured runner for tonight’s race and which finished at the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY VICTOR 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 SMART COUSIN immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SMART COUSIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. CROWN AVENUE, RUN DEES RUN and SPEED FORCE were sent for sampling.