22/05/2022  Shatin  Race 4

RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was slow to begin and then lost further ground when hampered by AURORA HERO which was taken out by BEST FOR YOU. MANAGEMENT FOLKS and TUNG HAYE HAYE bumped on jumping, resulting in MANAGEMENT FOLKS losing ground as a result of becoming unbalanced and TUNG HAYE HAYE, which was also unbalanced, shifting in and bumping HEARTY WISH. TUNG HAYE HAYE then shifted out after making contact with HEARTY WISH, resulting in MANAGEMENT FOLKS again being hampered. From wide barriers, QUORUM and WIDE BLUE YONDER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 750 Metres, TYCOON JEWELLERY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HEARTY WISH which itself was steadied away from the heels of PROSECCO. PROSECCO lay out rounding the Home Turn. Near the 350 Metres, TYCOON JEWELLERY was disappointed for running between CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO and AMAZING VICTORY (K Teetan) which shifted out. After being disappointed for running, TYCOON JEWELLERY was then steadied away from the heels of CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO which was giving ground. As the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that TYCOON JEWELLERY had established running between CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO and AMAZING VICTORY prior to that horse being directed out, no further action was taken other than K Teetan was severely reprimanded and told to ensure that he exercises due care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 300 Metres, SURE JOYFUL momentarily raced in restricted room between WIDE BLUE YONDER and RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE which shifted out before being directed inwards to relieve the crowding to SURE JOYFUL. L Hewitson (HEARTY WISH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure when not clear of CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO, resulting in that horse being hampered when unnecessarily crowded for room. L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 1 June 2022 and to expire on Monday, 6 June 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Hewitson’s good race riding record. After the 150 Metres, TYCOON JEWELLERY shifted in away from HEARTY WISH and was steadied away from the heels of AURORA HERO which also shifted out marginally. As the Stewards were of the opinion that this incident resulted more from TYCOON JEWELLERY laying in away from HEARTY WISH rather than any discernible shift outwards from AURORA HERO, no further action was taken. Throughout the race, CIRCUIT SPIRITANTO travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SURE JOYFUL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of QUORUM immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, QUORUM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WIDE BLUE YONDER and AMAZING VICTORY were sent for sampling.