08/01/2023  Shatin  Race 6

SURREALISM and KEEN UNITY bumped on jumping. LUCK STAR shifted in at the start and bumped NICE BIRDIE. SUN OF MAKFI shifted out at the start and brushed PEAK TO PEAK. BEAUTY CHAMP was bumped on jumping by AMAZING TEENS which was taken out by SMART BEAUTY. From a wide barrier, RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Apprentice Y L Chung (SKYEY SUPREME) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that making the turn after the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LUCK STAR, resulting in LUCK STAR being taken in onto KEEN UNITY, causing KEEN UNITY to be taken across the rightful running of SURREALISM which was checked. Apprentice Chung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 21 January 2023 and to expire on Wednesday, 25 January 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Chung was fined $15,000 After being hampered near the 1500 Metres, KEEN UNITY proved very difficult to settle and passing the 1400 Metres was checked away from the heels of LUCK STAR. KEEN UNITY then continued to prove very difficult to settle and got its head on the side and hung out across the heels of PEAK TO PEAK approaching the 1300 Metres. When KEEN UNITY shifted out, BEAUTY CHAMP was hampered and taken wider. After this, BEAUTY CHAMP was steadied to obtain cover behind KEEN UNITY, resulting in AMAZING TEENS being crowded for room near the 1200 Metres outside NICE BIRDIE which also shifted out. In this incident, SMART BEAUTY momentarily raced tight between AMAZING TEENS and SUN OF MAKFI. After the 1200 Metres, PEAK TO PEAK was left racing wide and without cover. THE MULTIPLIER raced wide and without cover after the 900 Metres. GREEN LASER had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, SMART BEAUTY was shifted out away from the heels of MISSION BRAVO which was giving ground. RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE was also shifted out away from the heels of MISSION BRAVO after the 200 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, SUN OF MAKFI was shifted out a number of horses to obtain clear running. When questioned, K C Leung stated that after travelling strongly for some distance after the 1400 Metres, LUCK STAR then came on and off the bridle in the middle stages and did not travel as strongly as he expected. He said LUCK STAR came under heavy pressure prior to the 600 Metres and then was disappointing in its failure to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of LUCK STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, it was reported that KEEN UNITY was making an abnormal breathing noise during the race. A veterinary inspection of KEEN UNITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KEEN UNITY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KEEN UNITY 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 RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREEN LASER, BEAUTY CHAMP and NICE BIRDIE were sent for sampling.