24/10/2007  Happy Valley  Race 5

After arriving at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to NATURAL FATCHOY was replaced. ALWAYS ZIETEN was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, PRIMIATA was steadied when crowded for room between FRONTIER and MAGI JOY (M W Leung) which had its head on the side and shifted in away from NATURAL FATCHOY. M W Leung was reprimanded and told in similar circumstances he should make a greater effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground. Near the 1500 Metres, FRONTIER was steadied away from the heels of MAGI JOY which had its head on the side and continued to shift away from NATURAL FATCHOY which was also shifting in. In the circumstances, no action was taken. After the 1500 Metres, DURABLE was steadied and shifted across behind runners. Prior to straightening, FRONTIER was checked severely when crowded for room inside the hindquarters of ALWAYS ZIETEN (Apprentice H W Lai which at this time shifted in momentarily away from PRIMIATA. As the Stewards were satisfied Apprentice Lai had endeavoured to remain racing to the outside of KING OF SHAVER and it was only the hindquarters of his mount was shifted in, no action was taken. Near the 200 Metres, KING OF SHAVER, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied and shifted to the outside of MIRACULOUS. At the 150 Metres, PRIMIATA became unbalanced when it shifted in away from BEST FRIEND and bumped MAGI JOY. Near the 100 Metres, MAGI JOY, which was giving ground, was steadied away from the heels of DIAGHILEV which was carried out by KING OF SHAVER which when continuing to have difficulty obtaining clear running was shifted to the outside of VINTAGE GOLD. Throughout the race, NATURAL FATCHOY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr C H Yip, trainer of FRONTIER, said he had instructed Apprentice C W Wong to ride the horse in 4th or 5th position if possible with cover and preferably on the rail. He said from barrier 9 he felt these instructions would be difficult to be carried out, however, he was concerned if the horse was ridden forward in an attempt to lead as it did at its last start because of the pace of the race, FRONTIER would be left racing wide without cover. Apprentice Wong confirmed the riding instructions issued to him and said shortly after the start he noted a number of runners on both his inside and outside being hard ridden to go forward, because of this he allowed those runners to continue on and he steadied his mount in an endeavour to obtain a position as instructed.  He said passing the winning post on the first occasion it became apparent to him that he would continue to travel wide, he therefore elected to steady his mount and shift to the fence. He said in the Back Straight he initially endeavoured to maintain a position on the back of PRIMIATA, however, despite his riding FRONTIER did not make up ground. He said rounding the Home Turn FRONTIER became badly unbalanced when interfered with and then afterwards in the Home Straight finished off fairly. Mr Yip was told where possible he should ensure that horses trained by him are ridden in a consistent manner. ALWAYS ZIETEN and FRONTIER were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ALWAYS ZIETEN and FRONTIER after the race did not show any significant findings. RAIN CHECK, DURABLE and KING OF SHAVER were sent for sampling.