Recap by phillip woo

Enormous Honour let down willingly after travelling fourth from the rear on the back of a good pace to get up 20m out for a second trip success off an identical mark of 54 this term. Rank outsider Dashing Dart produced a sterling burst from a detached spot at the back of the pack to split runners in the dying stages for second. Sichuan Boss wouldn't go down without a fight after clearing to lead from a wide gate but his 10-pound claimer went too hard in front. Marvel Joy just failed to place after over-racing in the box-seat. He was suited by the step back up to a mile and a bottom isn't far off. Sparkling Sword couldn't find any more at the 150m after having to work early on to settle one-out, oneback from a tricky gate. The pace went against him. Contribution was beaten at the 200m after working hard to track the leader without cover. Electric Lightning was already a spent force when badly hampered at the 250m following a tough run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (653) - LANCASHIRE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

From wide barriers, DASHING DART and HAPPY AND HEALTHY were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

For some distance approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, CONTRIBUTION got its head on the side, hung in and raced tight against ENREACHING.

After passing the winning post on the first occasion, when directed out to relieve the pressure to ENREACHING, CONTRIBUTION shifted out further, resulting in ELECTRIC LIGHTNING striking the heels of that horse, becoming badly unbalance and losing ground.

CONTRIBUTION lost its left hind plate during this incident.

The Stewards were satisfied that this incident was as a consequence of the racing manners of CONTRIBUTION and not due to carelessness on behalf of its rider, Apprentice H N Wong.

At the 1300 Metres, CONTRIBUTION was left racing wide and without cover.

CONTRIBUTION was then allowed to stride forward to settle outside the lead at the 900 Metres at which point ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was left racing wide and without cover.

When being steadied away from the heels of SICHUAN BOSS at the 1100 Metres, MARVEL JOY bounded and got its head up.

Passing the 1000 Metres, SUPER LUCKY got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of LITTLE ISLAND.

When being shifted out at the 450 Metres, SUPER LUCKY (D Whyte) became awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENORMOUS HONOUR and shifted out further, resulting in HAPPY AND HEALTHY, which was racing to its outside, being bumped heavily and becoming badly unbalanced.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that D Whyte was not endeavouring to shift to the outside of the heels of ENORMOUS HONOUR but rather his horse became awkward when close to heels, no further action was taken.

Nonetheless D Whyte was however advised to exercise due care when shifting ground.

M L Yeung (VICTORY FOLLOW ME) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when being ridden along and as a consequence shifted into the rightful running of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING which was checked.

M L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 6 June 2018 and to expire on Monday, 11 June 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Yeung's good race riding record.

Just prior to the finishing line, ENORMOUS HONOUR shifted in under pressure, resulting in MARVEL JOY being tightened between that horse and DASHING DART.

As a consequence of this tightening, C Y Ho, the rider of MARVEL JOY, was forced to steady that horse.

The Stewards were satisfied that N Callan, the rider of ENORMOUS HONOUR, reacted in a timely manner when that horse shifted in suddenly.

A veterinary inspection of CONTRIBUTION immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, CONTRIBUTION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was asked to ride ELECTRIC LIGHTNING in a forward position from barrier 9 and in accordance with his instructions he rode the horse positively in the early stages.

He said however that after travelling 100 Metres he observed that a number of runners to his inside were in advance of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING and were also being ridden positively, therefore he elected to shift ELECTRIC LIGHTNING across behind runners to obtain cover in about a midfield position.

He said after striking the heels of CONTRIBUTION after passing the winning post on the first occasion and losing its balance, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was left racing three wide albeit with cover behind CONTRIBUTION.

He said however that when CONTRIBUTION improved forward of SPARKLING SWORD approaching the 1000 Metres and shifted in to race outside the lead, ELECTRIC LIGHTING was left exposed and without cover for the remainder of the event.

He added, despite suffering interference soon after straightening, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was a beaten horse at that stage and was giving ground.

A veterinary inspection of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer?? After the race, J Moreira stated that SPARKLING SWORD changed stride on a number of occasions in the early stages and was not completely balanced in its action.

He said the only explanation he could offer for the horse's disappointing performance was that the solid pace in the early stages had left it without any finishing effort.

A veterinary inspection of SPARKLING SWORD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ELECTRIC LIGHTNING, ENORMOUS HONOUR and DASHING DART were sent for sampling.