31/03/2010  Happy Valley  Race 4

MY GOOD FRIEND began awkwardly, shifted out and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of WINFINDER. FUN began awkwardly and then took some time to muster speed. Shortly after the start, PROSPEROUS became badly unbalanced when crowded for room between TELECOM SUPER STAR and TREASURE RAIDERS which was taken out slightly by GALACTIC TACTIC. Near the 1100 Metres, WIND KNIGHT was steadied when crowded for room between WINFINDER and FUN which was taken in at this time by GALACTIC TACTIC (S K Sit). S K Sit was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in future. Passing the 600 Metres, WIND KNIGHT shifted out slightly and made contact with the hindquarters of TELECOM SUPER STAR. In this incident, both WIND KNIGHT and TELECOM SUPER STAR became badly unbalanced. TREASURE RAIDERS made the turn passing the 600 Metres awkwardly. Near the 200 Metres, TELECOM SUPER STAR was steadied away from the heels of PROSPEROUS which at this time shifted out away from MAGIC TURBO. When questioned regarding his riding of PROSPEROUS, Y T Cheng advised that he had been instructed to ride the horse in a position ahead of midfield with cover if possible from barrier 10. He said after being crowded for room at the start, he did not ride his mount along in the early stages, but allowed PROSPEROUS to stride forward in the hope that he would be able to obtain a position behind GALACTIC TACTIC which was being ridden to assume a forward position. He said rounding the first turn PROSPEROUS proved difficult to steady and he was not able to shift in to a position behind GALACTIC TACTIC which at this time was also being steadied when unable to lead. He said as PROSPEROUS was positioned to the outside of the heels of GALACTIC TACTIC, a number of runners were able to improve their positions to his inside and therefore PROSPEROUS was left racing three wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. Trainer T S Tsui confirmed that he instructed Jockey Cheng to be positive on PROSPEROUS in the early stages to overcome the horse’s wide barrier and it was hoped that PROSPEROUS would be able to race in a position behind the speed with cover. After viewing the videos, Mr Tsui accepted that Jockey Cheng had made an effort to obtain a position behind GALACTIC TACTIC approaching the first turn, however, due to that horse not pressing forward, PROSPEROUS had been left racing to the outside of the heels of GALACTIC TACTIC. He said in the circumstances he was satisfied with Jockey Cheng’s riding of PROSPEROUS in the early stages. Y T Cheng was advised the Stewards would record his explanation, however, in their opinion, he should have made more of an effort in the early stages to steady PROSPEROUS in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover as instructed. A veterinary inspection of PROSPEROUS after the race did not show any significant findings. PROSPEROUS, MAGIC TURBO and TAI HANG’S PRIDE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination of TELECOM SUPER STAR showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM SUPER STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.