Recap by phillip woo

Aerovelocity settled one off in fourth, advanced to the front four deep despite lugging in under pressure at the 180m and kept on nicely thereafter to return to his Champion Sprinter form following a heart problem in October. Gold-Fun closed off well following a one-off run in midfield to grab second as the late-fancied favourite. Early favourite Peniaphobia reclaimed the front at the 300m and gave way after twice getting hampered by the eventual winner over the final 180m. Frederick Engels finished well three deep after a rail's run in midfield to fill a Quartet spot following a gear change. Charles The Great made a good bid down the far outside after switching off from a wide gate to travel third from the rear. I'm In Charge rallied without menacing with two wider out. Not Listenin'tome saved ground beyond midfield, switched out for a clear run three deep at the 250m and kept on evenly thereafter. Strathmore made some ground without threatening. Domineer and Amber Sky knocked up as expected.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (363)-THE CENTENARY SPRINT CUP - Hong Kong Group One - 1200Metres

LUCKY NINE was withdrawn on 29.1.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore).

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

On leaving the Parade Ring, AEROVELOCITY made contact with a rail.

On arrival at the Start, AEROVELOCITY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

As the start was effected, AMBER SKY lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently began only fairly.

SUPER JOCKEY shifted out at the start and bumped DOMINEER.

GOLD-FUN and NOT LISTENIN'TOME began only fairly.

After the 900 Metres, SECRET SHAM was left racing wide and without cover.

Passing the 500 Metres, I'M IN CHARGE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER JOCKEY.

Near the 350 Metres, NOT LISTENIN'TOME raced in restricted room when endeavouring to improve inside FREDERICK ENGELS which shifted in marginally.

Passing the 300 Metres, NOT LISTENIN'TOME was shifted out from behind FREDERICK ENGELS to obtain clear running.

Passing the 200 Metres, SUPER JOCKEY raced tight inside SECRET SHAM which shifted in away from CHARLES THE GREAT.

The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by J Moreira, the rider of the 3rd placed, PENIAPHOBIA, against AEROVELOCITY (Z Purton) being declared the winner alleging interference over the final 200 Metres.

After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that PENIAPHOBIA was initially crowded for room inside AEROVELOCITY passing the 200 Metres when that horse got its head on the side and hung in under pressure.

The Stewards further found that AEROVELOCITY was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to PENIAPHOBIA, however, again hung in under pressure passing the 150 Metres, causing PENIAPHOBIA to be checked.

Having regard to the manner in which both horses were travelling in the lead up to this incident and the margin between them at the end of the race, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had the interference not occurred PENIAPHOBIA would have finished in front of AEROVELOCITY and accordingly the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

At a subsequent inquiry, Z Purton was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 150 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent AEROVELOCITY from shifting in which resulted in the horse shifting into the rightful running of PENIAPHOBIA, causing that horse to be crowded for room, to become unbalanced and to lose ground.

Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 18 February 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 6 February 2016.

G Mosse (FREDERICK ENGELS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 75 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of NOT LISTENIN'TOME, causing that horse to be crowded for room inside CHARLES THE GREAT, to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

G Mosse was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 3 March 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 21 February 2016.

In addition, G Mosse was fined $30,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday.

In assessing the deferral period for the commencement of this suspension, the Stewards took into consideration the number of riders who may not be available for the Sha Tin racemeeting on Wednesday, 10 February 2016.

A veterinary inspection of NOT LISTENIN'TOME and STRATHMORE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

AEROVELOCITY and GOLD-FUN were sent for sampling.