Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Shouson kept on gamely for the win after hitting the front near the 200m for the win following a great ride by Zac Purton to have him tracking the speed one-off from gate 12. Golden Glory was making headway with every stride to finish a close second after a deep run without cover in midfield. He's not genuine but always capable of a big run over this trip. Master Albert ran on well to fill a placing despite straightening at the rear of the field. He's racing well without winning. Specked late Plikclone was promoted to fourth after getting hampered by Hero Time 250m out following a handy run. He's heading in the right direction. Hero Time just held his ground after easing out for a run passing the 300m following a dream run. He was later demoted a position. Favourite Loriz only lost a placing inside the final 50m after being headed for the lead approaching the 200m. The big weight has anchored him in back-to-back runs following a win.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (315) - KINGSTON HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

SUCCESS ALLSTARS began only fairly and then was crowded for room on jumping between GOLDEN GLORY and HAPPY ALUMNI which shifted out and then was taken out further by LORIZ.

After this, both SUCCESS ALLSTARS and HAPPY ALUMNI were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Also from a wide barrier, MASTER ALBERT was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

PLIKCLONE shifted out at the start and bumped LET'S GO PARTY.

HERO TIME got its head up shortly after the start when being ridden along to obtain a forward position.

After the 700 Metres, GOLDEN GLORY was left racing wide and without cover.

Passing the 450 Metres, I'M THE CONQUIST and HAPPY ALUMNI raced tight as I'M THE CONQUIST improved to the outside of SHIMMER AND SHINE.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred between HERO TIME (M Chadwick), 4th placegetter, and PLIKCLONE (J Moreira), 5th placegetter, near the 300 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether HERO TIME should be confirmed as the 4th placegetter.

Although J Moreira did not lodge a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of PLIKCLONE, the Stewards considered that the incident which occurred between the two horses at the 300 Metres was sufficient for the matter to proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing in order to safeguard the interests of the connections and the betting public.

After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was found that at the entrance to the Straight PLIKCLONE shifted to the outside of HERO TIME and established running to the outside of that horse.

It was further found that passing the 300 Metres HERO TIME shifted out into the rightful running of PLIKCLONE, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced and being taken out onto PLAY TO WIN, causing contact between those horses with PLAY TO WIN becoming badly unbalanced and PLIKCLONE becoming further unbalanced.

As the Stewards were satisfied that PLIKCLONE had established running to the outside of HERO TIME at the relevant stage of the race and having regard to the manner in which the two horses finished off the race and the nose margin between the horses at the end of the race, the Stewards determined that had the interference not occurred, PLIKCLONE would have finished in front of HERO TIME.

Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No.

6, SHOUSON, 1st; No.

10, GOLDEN GLORY, 2nd; No.

11, MASTER ALBERT, 3rd; No.

7, PLIKCLONE, 4th; and No.

4, HERO TIME, 5th.

J Moreira was severely reprimanded for having failed to avail himself of the opportunity to view the videos to determine whether grounds for a protest/objection against HERO TIME existed.

He was told to ensure that he is alert to incidents in races which have the potential to affect his mounts' finishing position.

At a subsequent inquiry, M Chadwick was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he directed his mount out when not clear of PLIKCLONE, resulting in that horse being taken out onto PLAY TO WIN and causing PLIKCLONE and PLAY TO WIN to bump and both become badly unbalanced.

SHIMMER AND SHINE, which was following PLAY TO WIN, was hampered in consequence when awkwardly placed behind that horse.

M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 19 January 2020 and to expire on Thursday, 23 January 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

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

After the race, K C Leung stated that PLAY TO WIN initially travelled well in a forward position behind the speed from the favourable barrier.

He said PLAY TO WIN came under pressure after the 500 Metres and then after becoming unbalanced on entering the Straight was disappointing in the manner in which it gave ground over the concluding stages.

A veterinary inspection of PLAY TO WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, it was reported that HERO TIME had bled from both nostrils.

LORIZ, SHOUSON and GOLDEN GLORY were sent for sampling.