04/11/2009  Shatin  Race 7

As the start was effected, SPECIAL DRAGON lifted its front feet off the ground and as a consequence was slow to begin. WATCH WHAT HAPPENS was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, GEM OF CHIU TON was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early and middle stages, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS proved very difficult to settle and for some distance passing the 800 Metres was checked away from the heels of OSVALDO. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS got its head up when crowded for room between SPECIAL DRAGON and JOYFUL WINNER (C W Wong) which shifted in. C W Wong was reprimanded. Approaching the 1400 Metres, SPECIAL DRAGON got its head on the side and ran out across the heels of VIGOR DELIGHT. Throughout the race, GREAT ACHIEVEMENT travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M W Leung (WHATABOB) stated that on entering the Straight he attempted to obtain a run between SILVER SUN and BERIO. He said that near the 200 Metres he observed BERIO (Apprentice T H So) was shifting in, therefore he decided to alter course to that horse’s outside so as to obtain clear running. He said when he did this, BERIO then shifted out, resulting in him having to be checked away from the heels of that horse and shift back to the inside to obtain clear running. When WHATABOB was checked away from the heels of BERIO, it shifted out, resulting in FORTUNE HAVEN being crowded for room inside GREAT ACHIEVEMENT. Apprentice So was reprimanded and told to make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course wherever possible. When questioned regarding his riding of GEM OF CHIU TON in the Straight, W M Lai stated that he placed his mount under pressure at all stages in the Straight including the use of the whip on the horse on several occasions in a backhanded manner. He said when ridden in this manner, GEM OF CHIU TON closed off the race strongly. W M Lai was advised that he should at all times place his mounts under appropriate pressure and to ride them in such in a fashion so as to leave no room for query. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on SILVER SUN tonight, Trainer Y S Tsui stated that at its most recent start at Happy Valley on 14 October 2009 when the horse was first up for the season, he had instructed the rider to obtain a position behind the leader which he anticipated would be LU YUE. He said on that occasion LU YUE was drawn immediately to the inside of SILVER SUN and he felt that had SILVER SUN disputed the lead, the horse would engage in a speed battle as had happened previously when the horse raced at Happy Valley. He said on these occasions, due to the tempo of the races SILVER SUN had contested, the horse had not been able to close off. He stated tonight with SILVER SUN being second up, he felt that the horse would be able to obtain a position in the lead without too much use having to be made of it as he is of the opinion that SILVER SUN does not appreciate racing behind runners on the All Weather surface. He added that SILVER SUN has previously raced in a positive manner when ridden to lead on the All Weather Track. He said by contrast SILVER SUN has not been able to be successful when ridden into the lead in its races at Happy Valley when trained by him. Mr Tsui was advised that his explanation would be reported. A veterinary inspection of KING ENCOSTA, which finished tailed out, did not show any significant findings. The performance of KING ENCOSTA was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KING ENCOSTA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FORTUNE HAVEN, OSVALDO and BERIO were sent for sampling.