26/09/2009  Shatin  Race 6

At declaration time, D Beadman was declared as the rider of both HO WONGCHOY and SUNNY SMILES. It was established that D Beadman had a firm commitment to ride SUNNY SMILES. As such, the Stewards permitted W C Marwing to be substituted as the rider of HO WONGCHOY. For this declaration error, D Beadman was fined $2,000. ANIMATION was slow to begin. Approaching the 1000 Metres, SABINA proved difficult to settle and shifted out when being checked away from the heels of SUPREME COMMANDER. ROYAL PUMPKIN hung in under pressure in the Straight and caused some inconvenience to SUPER SURVEYS at the 200 Metres. The performance of HEAVENLY POWERS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HEAVENLY POWERS 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 stages on SUPER BOBO, C K Tong stated that he was under strict instruction to ensure he found cover on the horse today as the trainer was critical of the fact that the horse had failed to obtain cover at its first start this season on 13 September 2009. He said for this reason he did not ride SUPER BOBO along in the early stages, but elected to steady his mount and shift over onto the fence. He said after having done this, he then rode SUPER BOBO vigorously to make up lost ground, however, approaching the first turn SUPER BOBO was hampered when SUNNY SMILES was eased out of the race. He said for these reasons SUPER BOBO was ridden further back today than was anticipated. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung (SUPREME COMMANDER) stated that the horse was able to take up a more forward position than anticipated in the early stages, however, approaching and passing the 1000 Metres was unable to maintain its forward position due to the tempo of the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CONQUEROR, S K Sit advised that he had been instructed to have the horse travel where it was comfortable and it was felt that this would be behind midfield. He said CONQUEROR never travelled at any stage of today’s race and did not respond to his riding when placed under pressure. A veterinary inspection of CONQUEROR after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, D Beadman (SUNNY SMILES) stated that it had been his intention to have SUNNY SMILES racing in advance of midfield if possible. He said the horse began well, however, he allowed HO WONGCHOY to cross and took the position behind that horse. He said passing the 1200 Metres SUNNY SMILES became unbalanced in its action and was quite awkward. He said as he felt this may have been due to the horse resenting to race to the inside of SUPREME COMMANDER, he elected to ease his mount slightly in the hope that SUNNY SMILES would travel more kindly. He said however a short distance later, SUNNY SMILES again became very unbalanced in its action and he looked down at the horse to see if it had bled. He said he remained extremely concerned with the action of SUNNY SMILES and for this reason he eased the horse out of the race. D Beadman added that he had ridden SUNNY SMILES in a number of pieces of work since he rode it at its first up win this season and its work had been very good. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY SMILES after the race did not show any significant findings. Trainer J Moore was advised that SUNNY SMILES would be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of official barrier trials around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination prior to racing again. SUNNY SMILES, ROYAL PUMPKIN and ALL TIME HIGH were sent for sampling.