RACE 9 (243)

Made contact at start, raced 2 wide better than midfield early, dropped to midfield near 800M, 5 lengths back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
Between the 350 Metres and the 250 Metres was held up for clear running. Sent for sampling post-race.

Made contact shortly after start, raced 2 wide in midfield early, dropped towards rear after entering the back straight, found rail 750M, angled out 450M, 8Ls back turning in, failed to make any progress in straight.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Began well from gate 1, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept on evenly in straight.

Incident Report
Held up for clear running making the Home Turn. Between the 200 Metres and the 150 Metres was steadied when held up for clear running behind MASK RIDER when that runner gave ground. Sent for sampling post-race.

Taken back from gate 9, raced behind midfield, difficult to settle, checked and dropped towards rear near 1350M, raced 3 wide behind midfield in the middle stages, 6 lengths or so back turning in, failed to close off in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Began well, raced better than midfield on the inside, dropped to midfield on turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually inside final furlong.

Incident Report
No report.

Began only fairly, taken back to race towards rear on the inside, saved ground throughout, 8 lengths or so back turning in, kept to inside after straightening and finished off strongly to take 2nd, no threat to the winner.

Incident Report
Making the turn approaching the 1300 Metres became unbalanced when racing tight to the inside of ENDEARED.

Away well, positioned 2 wide, a length or so back, found rail near 550M, 1-1/2L back turning in, kept on evenly in straight.

Incident Report
Raced keenly in the middle stages and near the 1000 Metres was shifted to the outside of PRECISION GOAL where it was allowed to stride forward and race outside the lead.

Made contact at start, raced 3 wide in midfield, difficult to settle throughout, 3-1/2L back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped awkwardly, raced at rear on the outside, 8 lengths or so back turning in, failed to close off in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. Y L Chung (STAR SATYR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of LOCH TAY, resulting in LOCH TAY striking the heels of STAR SATYR and blundering badly. Y L Chung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 27 December 2025 and to expire on Friday, 2 January 2026 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. R Kingscote stated that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event and did not finish the race off in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped start, trapped wide behind midfield, moved closer after passing 1200M, raced 3 wide, 1-1/2L back on turn, peaked early in straight, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Bumped on jumping. For some distance approaching the 1200 Metres raced tight between NEVER PETER OUT and LOCH TAY. Near the 700 Metres was checked to avoid WIN EASE.

Away well, trapped wide in midfield early, sent forward after entering the back straight, raced in 2nd, 2 wide in the middle stages, peaked 400M, weakened final 250M.

Incident Report
No report.

Out with rest, sent forward to take the lead, led by 1-1/2L turning in, kicked clear early in straight, kept on very well to the line, won comfortably.

Incident Report
Y L Chung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 1000 Metres (see LOCH TAY) and also pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 700 Metres (see WIN EASE). Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. <10/12/2025 Appeal – Jockey Y L Chung > Jockey Y L Chung has lodged a notice of appeal against the decision of the Racing Stewards to impose the penalties for two charges of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] when he rode STAR SATYR in Race 9 at the Sha Tin race meeting held on 7 December 2025. Jockey Chung is appealing against the decision of the Racing Stewards and the severity of the penalties. <18/12/2025 Appeal – Jockey Y L Chung > The Appeal Panel has granted leave for Jockey Y L Chung to amend his notice of appeal originally against the decision of the Racing Stewards and the severity of the penalties imposed on 7 December 2025 to be only against the severity of the penalties. Leave has also been granted by the Appeal Panel for the penalties to be suspended pending the determination of the appeal. <30/12/2025 Result of Appeal Hearing – Jockey Y L Chung > The Appeal lodged by Jockey Y L Chung against the severity of the penalties imposed by the Racing Stewards for two charges of careless riding under Rule 100(1) arising from his ride on STAR SATYR in Race 9 at the Sha Tin race meeting held on 7 December 2025 was heard by the Appeal Panel at 2:30 p.m. on 29 December 2025. The original penalties were: (a) Charge 1: Suspension from riding in races for two Hong Kong race days commencing on 27 December 2025 and expiring on 2 January 2026, after pleading guilty to careless riding approaching the 1000M; and (b) Charge 2: Suspension from riding in races for two Hong Kong race days commencing from 21 January 2026 and expiring on 26 January 2025, after pleading guilty to careless riding near the 700M. The Appeal Panel carefully considered the films of the relevant incidents, the transcript of the Racing Stewards’ inquiry, the evidence taken in this Appeal, and the submissions made by the parties.The Appeal Panel partly allowed the appeal by reducing the penalty of Charge 2 from two Hong Kong race days to one Hong Kong race day. The suspensions for the two charges are to be served consecutively. Accordingly, Jockey Chung is suspended from riding in races as follows:- (a) Charge 1: Two Hong Kong race days, commencing from 18 January 2026 and expiring on 22 January 2026; and (b) Charge 2: One Hong Kong race day on 25 January 2026.

Bumped start, raced at rear, 5 to 6 lengths back turning in, failed to close off in straight.

Incident Report
Bumped on jumping. Y L Chung (STAR SATYR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 700 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of WIN EASE, resulting in WIN EASE having to be checked and losing its rightful running. Y L Chung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 21 January 2026 and to expire on Monday, 26 January 2026 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WIN EASE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Out in line, raced 4 wide with cover behind midfield, no cover from 800M, 4 lengths back turning in, finished off well to take a place without threatening.

Incident Report
Prior to the start being effected became fractious in the starting gates, resulting in the hood and bridle being displaced when the starting gate handler was endeavouring to assist the horse. As the Stewards were satisfied that the horse’s gear had been displaced prior to the start being effected and this had prejudiced the horse’s ability to jump and its chances in the race, the horse was declared a non-runner. As a result VERMILION TEMPEST raced throughout the event with its rider Apprentice E C W Wong having limited control when the bridle remained displaced.