19/02/2023  Shatin  Race 8

CELESTIAL POWER, which jumped only fairly, was crowded by DROMBEG BANNER which jumped awkwardly and shifted in, resulting in CELESTIAL POWER making contact with the hindquarters of RISE BRETHREN. CELESTIAL POWER then raced keenly in the early stages. From the outside barriers, NEARLY FINE and RUNNING GLORY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1800 Metres, RISE BRETHREN raced tight to the inside of CELESTIAL POWER when being ridden to hold its position one-off to the outside of ABOVE. Near the 1400 Metres, when the pace was slow, BUTTERFIELD commenced to race fiercely and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of ENJOYING, resulting in BUTTERFIELD shifting out and away from that runner into a three wide position. A Badel (RISE BRETHREN) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of BUTTERFIELD, resulting in BUTTERFIELD being taken in and across the running of ENJOYING, resulting in ENJOYING losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and then being checked to avoid the heels of BUTTERFIELD. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 1 March 2023 and to expire on Monday, 6 March 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Badel was fined $67,500. In this incident, DROMBEG BANNER, which was positioned to the inside of ENJOYING was crowded and ABOVE, which was following ENJOYING, was steadied to avoid the heels of that runner, shifted out and made contact with FIVE G PATCH. NEARLY FINE was held up on the Home Turn and on straightening was disappointed for running to the inside of DROMBEG BANNER. Near the 150 Metres, ABOVE became held up behind ENJOYING and was shifted to that runner’s inside to secure clear running. When questioned regarding his riding of DROMBEG BANNER and in particular the slow pace that was set between the 1600 Metres and the 1200 Metres which was run at approximately two seconds outside standard time, M F Poon stated that his instructions were to take up a forward position on DROMBEG BANNER and if the pace was only fair, he was given the option to lead. He said after passing the 1800 Metres when DROMBEG BANNER obtained the lead, he felt ENJOYING improve to his outside and after passing the 1600 Metres when he observed that DROMBEG BANNER and ENJOYING had established a sizeable lead over the remainder of the field, he elected to restrain DROMBEG BANNER to allow it to set, in his opinion, a more sustainable tempo to allow DROMBEG BANNER to run out a strong 2000 Metres as it was stepping up to today’s distance for the first time. He added that as a result he then steadied DROMBEG BANNER and whilst he was not aware of the slow pace that he had set, DROMBEG BANNER settled comfortably and he was able to rate the horse in what he considered to be an advantageous tempo. A veterinary inspection of DROMBEG BANNER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding his riding of ENJOYING, Apprentice Y L Chung stated that he was also given the instructions to go forward and lead and was able to obtain a position directly to the outside of DROMBEG BANNER throughout the early stages. He added that passing the 1600 Metres he became aware that the pace of the event had slowed but in the circumstances he felt that it was more advantageous to maintain his position to the outside of DROMBEG BANNER and he was reluctant to allow his mount to stride forward to give up what he considered to be an advantageous position. After considering the evidence of both M F Poon and Apprentice Chung, they were advised that the pace of the race was run at a slow tempo and they should, wherever possible, ensure that they set the leading pace at a more even tempo so that the runners positioned behind them are not disadvantaged and placed close to heels. FIVE G PATCH, RUNNING GLORY and BUTTERFIELD were sent for sampling.