03/05/2009  Shatin  Race 8

TOWKAY FLYER was withdrawn on 2.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HIGH MARK (K T Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, TOWKAY FLYER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY REUNION and ONE WEE ACORN were slow into stride. For some distance after the 900 Metres, GILDED FLIGHT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LUCKY RED. When questioned, K T Yeung (HIGH MARK) said he had been instructed to have the horse settled in the midfield position if possible and to have it balanced. He said HIGH MARK began well, to ensure his mount was properly balanced, he did not ride it along in the initial stages. He said near the 900 Meters he steadied HIGH MARK when GILDED FLIGHT shifted across in front of him. He said after this he continued to have HIGH MARK balanced, however, the horse lost ground and became detached from the field. He said after the 800 Metres he commenced to ride HIGH MARK along in an endeavour to make ground while keeping the horse balanced. He said at the 500 Metres he placed HIGH MARK under pressure, the horse initially did not quicken in the manner in which he expected, however, over the concluding stages HIGH MARK did finish the race off strongly and after the 100 Metres was steadied away from the heels of GALBRAITH which was giving ground. Trainer C S Shum confirmed the riding instructions were to have the horse balanced and in the midfield position if possible. He said he instructed K T Yeung to place HIGH MARK under pressure at the 500 Metres and to ensure the horse finished the race off strongly. He said these instructions were consistent with the horse’s previous race starts. He said he was surprised HIGH MARK was so far back in the race and questioned K T Yeung about this immediately after the race. After viewing the official videos of the race, Mr Shum said more use should have been made of HIGH MARK in the early stages in an endeavour to maintain a more favourable position. K T Yeung was severely reprimanded for his lack of vigour on HIGH MARK in the early stages of the race and he was told in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to position his mounts appropriately in races. Mr Shum was told his explanation would be reported and he should ensure the riders of horses trained by him are fully aware of how he expects those horses to be ridden. MACHO EXPRESSO and GALBRAITH were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MACHO EXPRESSO and GALBRAITH after the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY RED and HAPPY REUNION were sent for sampling. <4/5/2009 Additional Veterinary Reports > GALBRAITH, which performed poorly, was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison. He said at that time there were no significant findings. GALBRAITH was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer A Schutz this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, GALBRAITH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.