Recap by phillip woo

In a race marred by a horrific fall near the home turn, Sky Field endured a trouble-free run near the inside after biding his time at the rear of the field to overhaul an erratic Courier Wonder 60m out for the win. He's always threatened to do this sort of thing. Resistencia ran on well to grab second after ducking inside to avoid fallen horses rounding the final bend following a two-to-three deep run behind midfield. It was a big run by the Japanese challenger. Courier Wonder veered out near the 200m after shooting to the front 400m out following a pace-stalking run. He's a quality type but needs to get his bad habit sorted. Hot King Prawn just lost a placing late after a midfield run. He rarely produces a bad run. Stronger kept on evenly after having to step over a fallen Amazing Star at the top of the straight following a one-off run better than midfield. He had an excuse. Wellington got too far back after avoiding fallen horses coming to the final ben following a patient ride one from the rear. He had an excuse. Computer Patch had no excuse after dictating the run. Amazing Star, who was up tracking the speed, broke down entering the straight and took down favourites Lucky Patch, Pixie Knight and Naboo Attack.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (247) - THE LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT - Class G1 - 1200Meters

HOT KING PRAWN shifted out at the start and bumped COMPUTER PATCH.

COURIER WONDER shifted out at the start and hampered NABOO ATTACK.

PIXIE KNIGHT began only fairly and then was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

STRONGER began awkwardly.

From a wide barrier, WELLINGTON was also steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

In the early stages, AMAZING STAR travelled wide and without cover.

Passing the 1000 Metres, RESISTENCIA raced tight between STRONGER and LUCKY PATCH.

In this incident, RESISTENCIA bumped the hindquarters of STRONGER.

After the 900 Metres, DANON SMASH was left racing wide and without cover.

After being crossed by AMAZING STAR (L Hewitson) near the 800 Metres, LUCKY PATCH commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind that horse for some distance approaching and passing the 700 Metres.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that LUCKY PATCH was traveling keenly at this time when being crossed by AMAZING STAR, nonetheless L Hewitson will be advised to ensure that he provides proper clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Approaching the 600 Metres, LUCKY PATCH shifted out away from the heels of AMAZING STAR and bumped DANON SMASH.

Near the 550 Metres, AMAZING STAR went amiss and fell, resulting in L Hewitson being dislodged.

LUCKY PATCH, which was following, was unable to avoid AMAZING STAR and also fell, resulting in Z Purton being dislodged.

NABOO ATTACK was unable to avoid LUCKY PATCH and also fell, causing K Teetan to be dislodged.

PIXIE KNIGHT, which was following NABOO ATTACK, was unable to avoid the fallen AMAZING STAR, resulting in Y Fukunaga being dislodged.

DANON SMASH was severely checked in this incident and was eased down.

STRONGER, which was racing to the inside of LUCKY PATCH.

was severely checked.

When STRONGER was severely checked, RESISTENCIA was badly hampered, shifted in and inconvenienced SKY FIELD as that horse was shifting to the outside of HOT KING PRAWN.

WELLINGTON was also badly hampered in consequence.

A veterinary inspection of AMAZING STAR immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained injuries to both front legs.

A veterinary inspection of NABOO ATTACK immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained an injury to the right front leg.

A veterinary inspection of PIXIE KNIGHT immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

A veterinary inspection of DANON SMASH and LUCKY PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

K Teetan was subsequently examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements.

Before finalising this matter, the Stewards will interview L Hewitson and Z Purton who were unable to be interviewed at the track due to being transported to hospital.

At the entrance to the Straight, RESISTENCIA was bumped by SKY FIELD which improved into tight running between that horse and HOT KING PRAWN which shifted out.

Approaching the 300 Metres, COMPUTER PATCH raced tight inside COURIER WONDER which got its head on the side and lay in.

Approaching the 200 Metres, SKY FIELD was shifted out away from the heels of COURIER WONDER (J Moreira) which shifted out abruptly.

As the Stewards were satisfied that J Moreira had reacted in a timely manner in correcting COURIER WONDER, no further action was taken.

B Shinn (SKY FIELD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure, resulting in COURIER WONDER being unnecessarily hampered when crowded for room inside SKY FIELD and having to be steadied away from the heels of that horse passing the winning post.

In the circumstances, B Shinn was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 9 January 2022 and to expire on Monday, 17 January 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

LUCKY PATCH, SKY FIELD and RESISTENCIA were sent for sampling.

Samples were also taken from AMAZING STAR and NABOO ATTACK.