Recap by phillip woo

Post-time favourite Harrier Jet dashed well after getting to a gap before Starlight at the 200m following a prominent run to take victory 150m out. Star Of Joy stuck on nicely for second after travelling one off in third behind the late-fancied leader Nice Fandango. He pops up now and then but is still a maiden in Hong Kong. Starlight had to steady off the heels of the winner at the 200m following a midfield run before wearing down early favourite Eighty Eighty for third. He should have finished closer. Eighty Eighty grudgingly faded after chasing the leader Nice Fandango. It was a good run in defeat in his first outing in the grade following wins in two of four Class Fours. Zero Hedge stayed on all right near the outside after settling behind midfield following a tardy break in his first outing in this class. Nice Fandango faltered over the last 100m after getting his own way in front. He'll need to catch his breath in this grade after back-to-back wins.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (675) - ARC DE TRIOMPHE CHAMPIONS HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

The Stewards today interviewed Mr F C Lor, the trainer of ROCKIT, as to the circumstances regarding that horse being inadvertently treated with Omeprazole this morning and which resulted in it having to be withdrawn from this race.

Also interviewed was Mr C K Wan, head lad allocated to Mr Lor's stable for the current 2017/2018 season and who is responsible for administering certain routine treatments to horses trained by Mr Lor.

It was established that Mr Wan inadvertently treated ROCKIT before realizing that that horse was declared to compete in this race.

Mr Wan confirmed that there was a notice outside of ROCKIT's stall detailing that the horse was declared to race, however, he overlooked that notice.

After having considered Mr Lor's stable practices in respect of the administration of treatments, the Stewards issued a charge against him under Rule 50(2), the particulars being that as the person responsible for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable, including the work of stable staff allocated to him, he did fail in his responsibilities to ensure that ROCKIT was not inadvertently treated prior to its intended race.

In the circumstances, Mr Lor was fined the sum of $20,000.

Mr Wan was advised that a report of this matter would be forwarded to Stables Management for their consideration and necessary action.

ZERO HEDGE began only fairly and then was crowded for room between STAR OF JOY which was taken out by SUNNY DRAGON and I'M THE CONQUIST which shifted in.

Apprentice H N Wong (NICE FANDANGO) reported that his saddle shifted back shortly after the start, placing him at a disadvantage.

Near the 1050 Metres, PAKISTAN BABY was checked and lost ground when that horse became badly unbalanced after shifting out and making contact with the hindquarters of STARLIGHT which itself lay in momentarily.

SUNNY DRAGON, which was following, got its head up for some distance when being checked away from the heels of PAKISTAN BABY in consequence.

As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken.

When SUNNY DRAGON was checked away from the heels of PAKISTAN BABY, that horse shifted out and bumped SMART BOY which became unbalanced and shifted out across the heels of BIG FORTUNE which was shifting in.

This resulted in SMART BOY being checked and losing ground.

PAKISTAN BABY lost its right hind plate at the 1000 Metres.

Passing the 900 Metres, BIG FORTUNE shifted out away from the heels of STARLIGHT which was steadied away from the heels of I'M THE CONQUIST (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear.

Apprentice Wong was advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground.

Near the 250 Metres, STARLIGHT was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of HARRIER JET which shifted in.

Passing the 100 Metres, I'M THE CONQUIST was momentarily awkwardly placed behind STAR OF JOY.

Close to the finishing line, NICE FANDANGO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of STARLIGHT and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

For the majority of the race, ZERO HEDGE travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, K C Ng (SUNNY DRAGON) stated that he was asked to ride the horse in a forward position.

He said he allowed SUNNY DRAGON to begin well and did not have a tight hold of that horse's rein, however, SUNNY DRAGON shifted out abruptly at the start and when he attempted to correct the horse, it got its head up, resulting in it becoming badly unbalanced and losing ground.

He said this resulted in SUNNY DRAGON racing much further back in the field than had been intended.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that SUNNY DRAGON had begun awkwardly, nonetheless K C Ng was advised that he should do all in his power to ensure that his mounts begin well and are able to take up a position in accordance with his instructions.

HARRIER JET and STAR OF JOY were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Races 4 - 8 were each put back 5 minutes.

2.

The following horse was replated in the saddling stalls:- Race 5: CIRCUIT GLORY (right hind) Race 7: GUNNISON (left hind)

3.

20 May 2018 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 10 (667) The Stewards tonight interviewed Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of CITRON SPIRIT, regarding his involvement in a protest/objection which was lodged following this race.

Mr Yiu, as a licensee with considerable experience, was fined the sum of $5,000 for being a party to the lodgement of a frivolous protest/objection.

4.

The Stewards tonight interviewed licensed jockey U Rispoli regarding a comment allegedly posted by him on a social media platform on Sunday, 20 May 2018.

Subsequently U Rispoli pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in that as a licensed jockey he did post an inappropriate comment on a social media platform on Sunday, 20 May 2018 in respect of a decision of the Racing Stewards from earlier that day regarding a careless riding suspension issued against him.

In considering the matter of the appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that Jockey Rispoli had apologized for this comment and had taken steps to remove the relevant social media post.

In the circumstances, U Rispoli was fined the sum of $10,000.

5.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 20 May 2018 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of PLAY IT, BULLISH GLORY, TRIUMPHAL TRUMPET, SCARBOROUGH FAIR, SOLAR PATCH, HOME RUN, TOP ACE, BOSSIEE, VIVA COUNCIL, MONTREAL, WAYFOONG VINNIE, GRADE ONE, FRESH POWER, GOODLUCK GOODLUCK, LOOKING GOOD, TEAM SPIRIT, BOLD STITCH, INTREPIC, STAR SHINE, PRINCE HARMONY, RISE HIGH and DOCTOR GEOFF revealed no apparent abnormality.

6.

Racing Laboratory tests of SHIMMER AND SHINE, LUNAR ZEPHYR, HALL OF FAME, PEARL FURU, HOLY UNICORN, GRAND HARBOUR, GIDDY GIDDY, EXPERTO CREDE, AMAZING SATCHMO, STRATHSPEY, DESMIOS, INDIGENOUS STAR, WINNING SUPREME, CHEERFULJET, GAMEPLAYER EMPEROR, FAMOUS WARRIOR, GO BEAUTY GO, NITRO EXPRESS, CALCULATION, CALIFORNIA WHIP, RACING SUPERNOVA, BALTIC WHISPER, JUMBO LUCK, ARCHIPPUS, ULTIMATE GLORY, VOYAGE KING and CALIFORNIA JOY (12.5.18) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: PEACE COMBINATION on raceday morning on veterinary advice.

DASHING GAINER at barriers on veterinary advice.

Race 4: MULTIGOGO on 22.5.18 on veterinary advice.

Race 8: ROCKIT on raceday morning by order of the Stewards.

2.

Fines Race 8: Trainer F C Lor (ROCKIT): $20,000 for a breach of Rule 50(2).

General: Trainer P F Yiu (CITRON SPIRIT): $5,000 for being a party to the lodgement of a frivolous protest/objection.

U Rispoli: $10,000 for misconduct.

3.

Severe Reprimand Race 4: C Schofield (GOLD VELVET) for shifting in approaching the 1300 Metres.

4.

Warnings Race 1: O Doleuze (THE JOY OF GIVING) for shifting in approaching the 1600 Metres.

Race 4: K C Ng (PERFECT CHOICE) for shifting in near the 1400 Metres.

Race 6: Apprentice M F Poon (HARD BALL GET) for shifting in approaching the winning post on the first occasion.

Race 8: Apprentice C Wong (I'M THE CONQUIST) for shifting in passing the 900 Metres.

K C Ng (SUNNY DRAGON) re allowing his mounts to begin well.

5.

Barrier Trial Race 3: DASHING GAINER

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2: LAMAROSA Race 3: PEACE COMBINATION DASHING GAINER Race 4: MULTIGOGO PEARL WARM WARM Race 5: GORGEOUS KING Race 6: MERRYGOWIN