26/09/2010  Shatin  Race 8

TREMENDOUS ADD was crowded for room at the start between MY WHISKY and MR TOPAZ which shifted out. Near the 1500 Metres, LUNAR REFLECTIONS was momentarily crowded for room inside HELENE WITTY. BLESSING was held up until near the 250 Metres. Inside the final 100 Metres, B Prebble (GIVE WELL) dropped his left rein. For the majority of the race, NORTH HILL travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice T H So stated that he had been instructed to obtain a midfield position on MR TOPAZ if possible. He said he rode along in the early stages to obtain this position, however, MR TOPAZ did not muster speed as had been hoped. He said in the early stages of the race MR TOPAZ got its head on the side and shifted out away from other runners and for this reason he was not able to shift across behind runners to obtain a position with cover. He said after racing wide he commenced to ride MR TOPAZ along from the 600 Metres in an endeavour to have it make up ground, however, MR TOPAZ continued to shift out and away from other runners. He added that in the Straight MR TOPAZ shifted out and away from GIVE WELL near the 300 Metres when that horse shifted out to improve its position. He said he rode MR TOPAZ along hands and heels in the Straight and near the 100 Metres used the whip on the horse. He said MR TOPAZ finished off the race fairly. Apprentice So was advised his riding of MR TOPAZ in the Straight had come under notice and that at all times he should use sufficient vigour on his horses so as to leave no room for query. When questioned, C K Tong stated that he had been instructed to lead on FORTUNE WINNER. He said FORTUNE WINNER began only fairly and he was obliged to make considerable use of the horse in the early stages to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said after obtaining a position near the lead to the inside of MY WHISKY near the 1200 Metres, he steadied FORTUNE WINNER whilst maintaining its position to the inside of that horse. He said whilst he was aware the tempo of the race was somewhat quick in the early stages, this was as a result of him having to ride the horse along in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed. When questioned, H W Lai reported that approaching the 1200 Metres he obtained a position one horse off the fence behind SPECTACULAR AWARD. He said when he observed W M Lai, the rider of SPECTACULAR AWARD, looking to his inside with a view to taking up a position racing on the fence, he commenced to shift to the outside of SPECTACULAR AWARD so as to be in a position to improve to race in the one off position to the outside of that horse. He said at this time NORTH HILL was improving its position towards his outside and he felt that that horse might have improved its position to be racing in front of LUNAR REFLECTIONS had he not shifted to the outside of SPECTACULAR AWARD. He said however that SPECTACULAR AWARD remained racing in the one off position rather than shifting to the fence and as a result of this LUNAR REFLECTIONS was left racing in a position three wide and without cover to the outside of that horse. H W Lai was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he should, where circumstances permit, ensure that horses ridden by him did not cover unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY GOOD after the race did not show any significant findings. NORTH HILL and TREMENDOUS ADD were sent for sampling.