24/04/2022  Shatin  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that STAR CONTACT had blood in its mouth. STAR CONTACT was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race. ROCKPAPERSCISSORS was slow to begin. FIERY FLYING began awkwardly. HEARTY WISH shifted out on jumping and bumped SPARKY STAR which became unbalanced. KUNG FU TEA shifted out on jumping and inconvenienced CASA LEGEND. LIGHT OF WANSHI shifted out at the start and bumped GALLANT WAKING. After this, LIGHT OF WANSHI was steadied to obtain cover. Passing the 1200 Metres, CONCERTO commenced to travel very keenly and got its head up for some distance. After being steadied to obtain cover in the early stages, GALLANT WAKING commenced to travel keenly passing the 1200 Metres and then near the 1100 Metres got its head up when over-racing. GALLANT WAKING was then left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres. C L Chau (MAXIMIZE HEART) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in and bump FIERY FLYING, resulting in that horse being taken in onto LIGHT OF WANSHI which was in turn taken in across the rightful running of ROCKPAPERSCISSORS, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and FIERY FLYING and LIGHT OF WANSHI both being hampered. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 7 May 2022 and to expire on Monday, 16 May 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $67,500. Passing the 800 Metres, FIERY FLYING was steadied away from the heels of SPARKY STAR which itself was awkwardly placed behind CASA LEGEND. Passing the 400 Metres, KUNG FU TEA improved into tight running between ISLAND SHINE and ERIMO. Approaching the 300 Metres, ISLAND SHINE shifted out and raced tight inside the heels of KUNG FU TEA. Then passing the 300 Metres, ISLAND SHINE, which was commencing to give ground, was crowded for room between KUNG FU TEA and STAR CONTACT (B Shinn) which shifted out. B Shinn was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. LIGHT OF WANSHI was unable to obtain clear running from passing the 400 Metres until passing the 250 Metres. Then approaching the 100 Metres, LIGHT OF WANSHI got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in its rider straightening his mount. In the Straight, SPARKY STAR lay out under pressure. When questioned, V Borges stated that he was asked to ensure that ISLAND SHINE did not get out of its ground in the early stages and from a wide barrier to ride his mount positively with a view to obtaining a position with cover behind the speed. He said after initially riding ISLAND SHINE along in the early stages into a forward position, he steadied his mount for some distance after the 1300 Metres with a view to obtaining cover, however, when ISLAND SHINE was not able to obtain a trailing position, he allowed the horse to continue forward of ERIMO and race outside the lead. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MAXIMIZE HEART, C L Chau stated that as he was asked to ride the horse quietly in accordance with its normal racing pattern, he steadied MAXIMIZE HEART in the early stages and shifted his mount across behind runners. He said when being steadied in the early stages, MAXIMIZE HEART travelled keenly for a short distance, however, commenced to travel better after the 1100 Metres. He said in the middle stages although MAXIMIZE HEART raced in a three wide position, the horse always had cover and he was able to commence improving his position behind CONCERTO after the 700 Metres. He added that prior to the Home Turn MAXIMIZE HEART came under pressure and then despite being ridden along rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight MAXIMIZE HEART was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection of MAXIMIZE HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MAXIMIZE HEART, a last start winner and which finished towards the rear of the field, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MAXIMIZE HEART 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 GALLANT WAKING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPARKY STAR, KUNG FU TEA and LIGHT OF WANSHI were sent for sampling.