21/01/2023  Shatin  Race 4

BUDDY SPIRIT bounded in the air at the start and consequently lost ground. YEE CHEONG BRAVE began awkwardly. STRIVE FOR GLORY shifted out on jumping and inconvenienced FELIX THE KING. EASY LIFE was hampered at the start when steadied away from the heels of RAGING BLAZE which shifted in . CIRCUIT SPLENDOR shifted out on jumping and bumped FANTASY SPRING which in turn inconvenienced ALLOY STAR which then shifted out and bumped BOOMING WELL. After this, from a wide barrier, ALLOY STAR was shifted across behind runners. Near the 950 Metres, YEE CHEONG BRAVE was eased away from the heels of RAGING BLAZE. Approaching the 900 Metres, ALLOY STAR was inconvenienced when racing tight inside BOOMING WELL which got its head up on a number of occasions when racing ungenerously. BOOMING WELL was then left racing wide and without cover passing the 800 Metres and after the 600 Metres was taken wider by M M JOHNNY which improved to the outside of LITTLE PLAYER. After this, BOOMING WELL got its head on the side and lay out away from M M JOHNNY. Then at the 400 Metres, BOOMING WELL was bumped by M M JOHNNY which was racing tight outside LITTLE PLAYER. Passing the 500 Metres, ALLOY STAR raced close to the heels of M M JOHNNY. CIRCUIT SPLENDOR had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. L Hewitson (ALLOY STAR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 400 Metres he directed his mount out when not clear of BUDDY SPIRIT, resulting in that horse having to be checked. L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 12 February 2023 and to expire on Thursday, 16 February 2023 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. RAGING BLAZE was shifted out a number of horses after the 400 Metres to obtain clear running and passing the 200 Metres was momentarily crowded for room between ALLOY STAR and BOOMING WELL which shifted out away from M M JOHNNY. Close to the finishing line, FELIX THE KING was shifted out away from the heels of HAPPY TRIO which shifted out. After the race, Z Purton was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of M M JOHNNY which he described as disappointing. He said after shifting to the outside of LITTLE PLAYER after the 600 Metres, M M JOHNNY responded only fairly to his riding in the early part of the Straight and then did not finish the race off as anticipated. A veterinary inspection of M M JOHNNY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BOOMING WELL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. M M JOHNNY, HAPPY TRIO and LITTLE PLAYER were sent for sampling.