09/05/2009  Shatin  Race 6

SUPER FANTASY was withdrawn on 8.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, SUPER FANTASY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNING STRATEGY began awkwardly and lost a considerable amount of ground. On jumping, NICE KING was taken back. Shortly after the start, LUCKY BO BO was bumped by TRAVEL GUIDE which was bumped by SMART KNIGHT which had its head on the side and shifted in while hanging. Near the 900 Metres, SURE GOOD was checked to avoid the heels of SMART KNIGHT (B Prebble) which had been hanging in and at this time got its head on the side and shifted in away from SPLENDID SAILS which shifted in slightly. As the Stewards were satisfied B Prebble made a satisfactory effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground, no action was taken. At the 800 Metres, ALWAYS ON TOP became unbalanced and lost ground when being steadied away from the heels of LUCKY BO BO which shifted in when barely clear. Near the 700 Metres, SURE GOOD was steadied away from the heels of TIBIDABO. Near the 300 Metres, LUCKY BO BO shifted out to continue going forward and then near the 200 Metres was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of SURE GOOD. In the run to the line, NICE KING got its head on the side and hung in. The performance of ALWAYS ON TOP, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS ON TOP will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding in the early and middle stages, H W Lai (TOUCH LUCKY) explained he had been instructed to allow his mount to begin, roll forward and endeavour to obtain a prominent position. He said from the outside barrier TOUCH LUCKY began well, he immediately commenced to ride his mount along, however, it did not show natural early speed. He said near the 1300 Metres when he had not been able to clear runners on his inside, he did not persist in riding along, but did allow TOUCH LUCKY to continue travelling forward. He said SPLENDID SAILS held its position to his inside and he felt approaching the turn at the 800 Metres if he were to ride along he would not have cleared that horse given the manner in which TOUCH LUCKY had travelled in the early stages. He said he therefore steadied TOUCH LUCKY in the hope that SPLENDID SAILS would cross and race in a two wide position and he would then shift across with that horse. He said when SPLENDID SAILS remained racing in a three wide position, he was obliged to continue travelling four wide without cover around the turn after the 800 Metres. He said at the 500 Metres SPLENDID SAILS did not maintain its position on his inside and he was then able to shift across to race three wide. Mr K W Lui, the trainer of TOUCH LUCKY, confirmed the riding instructions and added that he had told H W Lai that he should not take hold of his mount to ensure it travelled smoothly in a forward position. Mr Lui, after viewing the official videos, said in his opinion it appeared TOUCH LUCKY did not have sufficient speed to cross runners on its inside and as a consequence was left racing wide and without cover. He said he was satisfied with the riding of H W Lai. H W Lai was told he must where circumstances permit ride his mounts in a manner so as to ensure they do not cover unnecessary ground in races. The Stewards advised H W Lai and Mr Lui that they will continue to look at certain aspects of the race and should it be considered appropriate they will be spoken to further in relation to the matter. The Stewards questioned K L Chui, the rider of SPLENDID SAILS, regarding his riding in the early and middle stages. K L Chui said he was instructed to ride his mount in 4th or 5th position with cover if possible. He said SPLENDID SAILS began well today and immediately travelled into the bridle. He said when racing in a forward position near the 1300 Metres he commenced to steady his mount in an endeavour to obtain a position with cover as he noticed FLY ME TO THE MOON being ridden to go forward on his inside. He said in the early stages he looked to his inside on several occasions to ascertain if a position closer to the rail was available, however, SMART KNIGHT prevented him from shifting in. He said near the 1100 Metres he allowed SPLENDID SAILS to travel forward slightly in the hope of being able to cross SMART KNIGHT. He said had he been able to do this, he intended to steady SPLENDID SAILS to allow TOUCH LUCKY to cross and provide him with cover. He said near the 1000 Metres he received a call from runners to his inside as he commenced to shift in and he then shifted his mount out to relieve pressure on his inside. He said when he did this SMART KNIGHT made some ground on his inside which meant he would have been required in his opinion to make considerable use of SPLENDID SAILS to go forward and cross that runner. He said he was mindful of his riding instructions to obtain a position with cover and therefore decided not to place his mount under pressure making the turn after the 800 Metres. He said approaching and passing the 600 Metres he gave SPLENDID SAILS a breather which enabled TOUCH LUCKY to go forward of him and provide him with cover around the Home Turn. Mr K L Man, the trainer of SPLENDID SAILS, confirmed the riding instructions issued and said he was somewhat surprised to see the horse travel so prominently in the race. He said it was not anticipated SPLENDID SAILS would show sufficient speed to be in such a forward position. After viewing the official videos of the race, Mr Man said whilst he was satisfied with the riding of K L Chui, in his opinion it might have been in the best interest of SPLENDID SAILS to be ridden to go forward approaching the 800 Metres and cross to race in a two wide position. K L Chui was told his riding of SPLENDID SAILS in the early and middle stages had come under notice and in their opinion lacked initiative which resulted in him travelling wide and without cover, however, he was told his explanation would be reported. The Stewards advised K L Chui and Mr Man that they will continue to look at certain aspects of the race and should it be considered appropriate they will be spoken to further in relation to the matter. The Stewards also advised them that they reserve the right to revisit the matter. LUCKY BO BO was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY BO BO after the race did not show any significant findings. SMART KNIGHT and FLY ME TO THE MOON were sent for sampling.