Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Dashing Ceramibo made his move coming into the final bend following a box-seat run, straightened five deep, shifted inside under pressure to brush Hella Hedge while working to the front from 150m out and kept on well for a first win at his eighth outing. Clever Beaver settled fourth along the rails, rallied three deep upon straightening and ran down Hella Hedge close to home for second. Hella Hedge was pestered on the lead by Hawthorne, cornered a length on top and grudgingly gave way. Specked late, Elite Spirit travelled one off the fence in fifth, swung the final bend with two wider out and ran on steadily to just finish out of the placings. Hong Kong Dancer settled worse than midfield and one off the rails, rounded the final bend widest out and made a mild bid. Great Run only stayed on passing beaten rivals after travelling third from the rear. Geronimo Meadow never let down after travelling behind midfield along the rails.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (577)-THE ST GEORGE'S CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

When being loaded into the barriers, D Lane's saddle shifted on HAWTHORNE, resulting in that horse having to be re-saddled.

All horses, which had been loaded into the barriers prior to this occurring, were unloaded and the start of the race was delayed.

HIDDEN VALUE shifted in at the start and bumped MI SAVVY BOY.

GREAT RUN began awkwardly and then got its head up when being steadied in the early stages in order to be shifted across behind runners.

GRAND PLUS was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, HONG KONG DANCER shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of ELITE SPIRIT which became unbalanced.

In the early stages, HIDDEN VALUE got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain cover.

Near the 1000 Metres, CLEVER BEAVER was momentarily crowded for room inside DASHING CERAMIBO which got its head on the side and shifted in away from HAWTHORNE.

For some distance after the 900 Metres, GREAT RUN got its head up when proving very difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of HONG KONG DANCER.

D Lane (HAWTHORNE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 800 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DASHING CERAMIBO, causing that horse to be taken in onto CLEVER BEAVER which as a result was unnecessarily crowded for room and steadied.

APACHE SPIRIT, which was following, was hampered in consequence.

D Lane was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 17 May 2015 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 9 May 2015.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, GREAT RUN, which continued to prove difficult to settle, was checked away from the heels of HONG KONG DANCER.

Near the 200 Metres, APACHE SPIRIT was checked when crowded for room between HAWTHORNE (D Lane) which shifted out marginally when commencing to give ground and ELITE SPIRIT (M L Yeung) which shifted in.

D Lane was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had made all proper endeavours to relieve the tightening to APACHE SPIRIT and accordingly no further action was taken in respect of HAWTHORNE's contribution to the incident.

M L Yeung was however told that having in mind the contribution from HAWTHORNE shifting out, he was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount.

Near the 150 Metres, HELLA HEDGE was crowded for room inside DASHING CERAMIBO (J Moreira) which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to HELLA HEDGE.

J Moreira was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground and causing unnecessary tightening to other runners.

The Stewards commenced hearing a protest/objection lodged by Apprentice K C Ng, the rider of CLEVER BEAVER, which finished second, against DASHING CERAMIBO, which finished 1st, alleging interference to his mount after the 900 Metres.

After viewing the videos, the Stewards acceded to a request from Apprentice Ng and Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of CLEVER BEAVER, to withdraw the protest/objection lodged against DASHING CERAMIBO and accordingly the protest/objection was formally overruled.

Apprentice Ng was advised to ensure that he has reasonable grounds before lodging a protest/objection in future.

A veterinary inspection of HIDDEN VALUE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

DASHING CERAMIBO and CLEVER BEAVER were sent for sampling.