15/01/2023  Shatin  Race 5

MILLENNIUM FALCON was withdrawn on 13.1.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucus in trachea on scoping) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter UNPRESUMING (A Badel). Before being allowed to race again, MILLENNIUM FALCON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DURHAM STAR began only fairly. Shortly after the start, UNPRESUMING shifted in and bumped NUNCHUKS. Then approaching the 1100 Metres, UNPRESUMING got its head on the side and lay in and in doing so bumped OWNERS’ PRAISE. After this, UNPRESUMING travelled keenly. Near the 1300 Metres, HORSESAIN BOLT and NUNCHUKS were crowded for room inside UNPRESUMING which, after initially getting its head on the side and laying in away from CALL ME TEDDY (H Bowman), was then taken in by that horse. H Bowman was severely reprimanded. Near the 1000 Metres, FLYING SWORD was momentarily steadied away from the heels of D STAR (Apprentice Y L Chung) which shifted in. Apprentice Chung was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 1000 Metres, HORSESAIN BOLT was steadied away from the heels of OWNERS’ PRAISE. Passing the 1000 Metres, FLYING SWORD was momentarily steadied away from the heels from D STAR. After this, FLYING SWORD travelled wide and without cover. For some distance approaching and passing the 800 Metres, UNPRESUMING continued to travel keenly and raced close to the heels of CALL ME TEDDY. HORSESAIN BOLT, which was following, raced close to the heels of UNPRESUMING in consequence. JOYFUL GENIUS got its head up approaching the 750 Metres when being checked away from the heels of HORSESAIN BOLT. HORSESAIN BOLT lost its left front plate approaching the 700 Metres. HORSESAIN BOLT had some difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn and after the 400 Metres was directed out a number of horses to obtain clear running. At the entrance to the Straight, CALL ME TEDDY was bumped by OWNERS’ PRAISE which shifted to the outside of SPEED FAY FAY. Then approaching the 300 Metres, CALL ME TEDDY was shifted out away from the heels of OWNERS’ PRAISE which was taken out marginally by SPEED FAY FAY. UNPRESUMING was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and lay in under pressure in the Straight. JOYFUL GENIUS was also held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and at the 250 Metres was shifted out away from the heels of OWNERS’ PRAISE to obtain clear running. R Maia (FIRE BALL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of NUNCHUKS, resulting in that horse having to be checked, stumbling and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, R Maia was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 5 February 2023 and to expire on Thursday, 9 February 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). L Currie (SIXTH GENERATION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FIRE BALL, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. L Currie was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 1 February 2023 and to expire on Monday, 6 February 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Currie’s good race riding record. A veterinary inspection of NUNCHUKS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. D STAR and JOYFUL GENIUS were sent for sampling.