21/11/2010  Shatin  Race 6

MASTER TOUCH began very awkwardly, got its head up on a number of occasions and lost ground. ROCKET POWER and HELENE WITTY made heavy contact at the start, resulting in ROCKET POWER losing ground. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, FORTUNE EIGHT was checked when crowded for room inside BRAVE HEART which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. SUPER CAGA, which was following, was hampered in consequence. For some distance after this, FORTUNE EIGHT was checked when proving difficult to settle and being awkwardly placed close to the heels of BRAVE HEART. Rounding the Home Turn, FORTUNE EIGHT got its head on the side and hung out. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been instructed to ride SUPER CAGA, which was dropping back in distance today from 1800 Metres to 1400 Metres, in a midfield position. He said it was felt that the tempo of the race would be good and that SUPER CAGA would not show the necessary speed to obtain a forward position without having to be made use of. He said it was felt that if this were the case, SUPER CAGA would not close off the race. He said accordingly he took hold of SUPER CAGA at the start to obtain a position in midfield. He said in the early stages he was following FORTUNE EIGHT which was racing erratically and for this reason he elected to steady SUPER CAGA and shift across to race behind PLENTIFUL passing the 900 Metres which resulted in SUPER CAGA racing further back in the field than had been intended. He said he commenced to ride SUPER CAGA along rounding the Home Turn and when tested in the Straight the horse closed off the race fairly. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of SUPER CAGA, confirmed that it had been intended for SUPER CAGA to be ridden in a midfield position as the horse was dropping back in distance and he felt that the race would be run at a good tempo. He said when racing over 1800 Metres recently, SUPER CAGA had had to be ridden along in the early stages to take up a forward position and it was felt that over 1400 Metres today too much use would have to be made of the horse were it to be ridden in a forward position. Y T Cheng was advised to ensure that he fully tests his mounts in the Straight so as to leave no room for query. Mr Yip was advised that the Stewards would report his explanation and that the tactics adopted on SUPER CAGA today had been noted. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE EIGHT after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FORTUNE EIGHT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FORTUNE EIGHT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MASTER TOUCH after the race revealed that the horse was a “roarer”. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MASTER GUNNER had lost its right front plate. LUCKY BRAVO and HELENE WITTY were sent for sampling.