The Hong Kong Jockey Club

ROYAL PRINCE bounded in the air at the start. Making the turn after the 1800 Metres, ROYAL PRINCE got its head up, attempted to run off and shifted wider on the track. In the early and middle stages, RAMONTI proved difficult to settle. Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, the inquiry sign was semaphored as the Stewards believed an incident occurred near the 300 Metres which cast doubt on whether RAMONTI ought be declared the winner of the race. M Kinane, the rider of VIVA PATACA, second placegetter, also lodged a protest/objection against RAMONTI (L Dettori) being declared the winner alleging interference after the 300 Metres. The evidence disclosed that after the 300 Metres VIVA PATACA was steadied and shifted to the outside of RAMONTI which shifted in when not properly clear. As the Stewards did not consider, bearing in mind the half length margin between the horses at the end of the race, that had the interference to VIVA PATACA not occurred that horse would have finished in front of RAMONTI, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, L Dettori was advised to exercise care. VENGEANCE OF RAIN was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of VENGEANCE OF RAIN after the race did not show any significant findings. RAMONTI and VIVA PATACA were sent for sampling.