24/01/2023  Shatin  Race 8

CIRCUIT STELLAR began only fairly. WINNING DREAMER began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped BELUGA. MR ASCENDENCY shifted out at the start and bumped FAMILY FOLKS which in turn shifted out, resulting in THE IRISHMAN racing in restricted room inside HEALTHY HAPPY. After this, FAMILY FOLKS and THE IRISHMAN were steadied to obtain cover. Also from the outside barrier, BLAZE WARRIOR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1250 Metres, FANTASTIC TREASURE got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover behind WINNING DREAMER which itself was awkwardly placed outside BELUGA when also being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. CIRCUIT STELLAR was badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and after being steadied away from the heels of HEALTHY HAPPY near the 350 Metres was shifted out across the heels of BELUGA approaching the 250 Metres to obtain clear running. S De Sousa (MR ASCENDENCY) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 125 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure when not clear of CIRCUIT STELLAR, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room inside MR ASCENDENCY and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. S De Sousa 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 addition, Jockey De Sousa was fined $90,000. After the race, Z Purton reported that after obtaining the lead in the early stages, HEALTHY HAPPY then travelled well in the middle stages. He said after placing HEALTHY HAPPY under pressure at the entrance to the Straight, his mount did not quicken as he anticipated and commenced to lay in. He said HEALTHY HAPPY continued to lay in under pressure and over the concluding stages gave ground noticeably. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY HAPPY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE IRISHMAN, MR ASCENDENCY and THE GOLDEN SCENERY were sent for sampling.