21/10/2007  Shatin  Race 5

On jumping, LUCKY CHAMPION knuckled. Shortly after the start, MAGIC TEMPLE was steadied and shifted across behind runners. Making the turn at the 700 Metres, FUJIAN PRINCE hung in, then near the 600 Metres got its head on the side and hung out. From on straightening until after the 200 Metres, SUPER WONGCHOY had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 150 Metres was steadied away from the heels of BRILLIANT ONE which was giving ground. In the Straight, INDUSTRIAL MARVEL hung out. Throughout the race, CARE FREE PRINCE travelled wide and without cover. Y T Cheng (CARE FREE PRINCE) explained from a wide gate he was instructed to ride his mount along in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a forward position. Mr Y S Tsui, trainer of CARE FREE PRINCE, confirmed the riding instructions issued to Y T Cheng. He said today’s race was the first start for CARE FREE PRINCE on the All Weather surface for three racing seasons and because of this he did not want to have the horse ridden behind other runners where it would have to face the kickback. He said in his opinion when racing in Class 3, CARE FREE PRINCE is better suited when ridden slightly further forward than is usual as he believes the horse does not possess the finishing sprint necessary to win these races when travelling further back. He said however in Class 4 CARE FREE PRINCE in his opinion is better suited ridden more quietly due to the finishing speed of those races. Mr Tsui was told his explanation would be reported. S K Sit (JOYFUL YEARS) was unable to offer an explanation for the poor performance of the horse. He said he was instructed to have the horse from a favourable barrier in midfield or slightly further forward. He said JOYFUL YEARS began well and was able to obtain a position in front of midfield without being ridden along. He said JOYFUL YEARS travelled comfortably in the early stages with cover, however, at the 1000 Metres he felt the horse was reluctant to hold its position, he therefore rode his mount along to ensure it did not give ground at this time. He said approaching the turn at the 700 Metres JOYFUL YEARS was not able to maintain its position and gave ground from that point onwards and was most disappointing. He said after the race there did not appear to him to be anything amiss with JOYFUL YEARS. Mr L Ho, trainer of JOYFUL YEARS, explained the intention today with a good barrier and a light weight was to have the horse ridden further forward than is usual provided the horse was not pressured to do so. He said in his opinion JOYFUL YEARS was not suited by this racing pattern and this accounted for the horse’s poor performance. He added it is now his intention to freshen JOYFUL YEARS and then revert to it having to be ridden more quietly as it has been when successful in the past. JOYFUL YEARS was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL YEARS after the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards advised Mr Ho the performance of JOYFUL YEARS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL YEARS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. K Shea (FUJIAN PRINCE) said his mount in the early stages travelled in a three wide position without cover, but was travelling comfortably. He said approaching the turn at the 700 Metres when JOYFUL YEARS did not hold its position to his inside, he shifted to a two wide position and despite FUJIAN PRINCE being inclined to hang in, the horse was still travelling comfortably. He said on entering the Home Straight he placed FUJIAN PRINCE under pressure in an attempt to improve, however, the horse gave ground gradually in the run to the line. He was not able to explain the poor performance of FUJIAN PRINCE. FUJIAN PRINCE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FUJIAN PRINCE after the race did not show any significant findings. INDUSTRIAL MARVEL and KING HESPERUS were sent for sampling.