30/04/2023  Shatin  Race 6

ROMANTIC CHARM, which was noted to have a discharge from the right nostril, was examined by the Veterinary Officer at the Start and passed suitable to race. A veterinary inspection of ROMANTIC CHARM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LEADING FORTUNE shifted in at the start and bumped SERANGOON. SERANGOON was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. POWERFUL WINGS jumped awkwardly and then from the outside barrier was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. LEADING FORTUNE raced wide and without cover after the 1000 Metres. PEGASUS HERO raced keenly in the middle stages. PEGASUS HERO shifted out after the 400 Metres and made contact with POWERFUL WINGS when endeavouring to improve to the outside of CHING. After the 250 Metres, ALL BEAUTY became held up for clear running between THE ROCK and SMILING COLLECTOR which shifted in slightly. ALL BEAUTY was then held up behind SMILING COLLECTOR between the 200 Metres and the 50 Metres when attempting to obtain a narrow run between THE ROCK and SMILING COLLECTOR and was steadied at the 50 Metres when disappointed for this run due to SMILING COLLECTOR shifting in. L Hewitson (CHING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FLYING QUEST, resulting in FLYING QUEST being eased and that he permitted his mount to shift in further when not clear of OWNERS’ PRAISE, resulting in OWNER’S PRAISE being steadied and taken in across the running of LEADING FORTUNE which was checked. In the circumstances, L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 10 May 2023 and to expire on Sunday, 14 May 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Hewitson was fined $60,000. When questioned regarding his riding of OWNERS’ PRAISE in the Straight, M Chadwick stated that after settling towards the rear of the field, he commenced to place his mount under pressure from the 450 Metres to improve. He said when positioned to the inside, he was reluctant to remain racing there as he felt the pattern of today’s racing advantaged horses making their runs out wide and he was concerned that SMILING COLLECTOR, which was racing in advance of him, may not finish the race off strongly and therefore he elected to shift to the outside of PRINCE ALEX to follow ROMANTIC CHARM into the event as he felt that runner was a better horse to follow. He added that when ROMANTIC CHARM did not quicken as he had expected, he became held up behind ROMANTIC CHARM between the 350 Metres and the 200 Metres where he shifted to the outside of LEADING FORTUNE to secure clear running and in doing so made contact with FLYING QUEST. He further stated that once into clear running, he was able to place OWNER’S PRAISE under full pressure near the 150 Metres, however, near the 100 Metres was again obliged to steady his mount when crowded by CHING and as a result could not fully test OWNERS’ PRAISE to the finish of the event. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by M Chadwick in the circumstances were reasonable. A veterinary inspection of ALL BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHING, THE BEST PEACH and POWERFUL WINGS were sent for sampling.