07/11/2009  Shatin  Race 10

CALIFORNIA MOON was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (coughing and substantial amount of mucopus in trachea on scoping after track work). Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIA MOON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WALKONTHEWILDSIDE was checked at the start when crowded for room between HORSE WIN WIN and CHATER WAY which was taken out by SUNRISE. RARE TREASURE began awkwardly. Passing the 1300 Metres, TAN TAT BABY raced tight between SPECIAL K and EIGHT PLUS NINE, both of which shifted ground. In the early stages, GRAND PROFIT proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions, then near the 1100 Metres was steadied away from the heels of TAN TAT BABY which was taken in momentarily by EIGHT PLUS NINE. GRAND PROFIT continued to prove difficult to settle and making the turn near the 800 Metres was awkwardly placed inside the heels of TAN TAT BABY. Passing the 800 Metres, FOREVER ELATION was steadied away from the heels of CHATER WAY. Near the 700 Metres, SPECIAL K, which was laying out, was severely checked after bumping the hindquarters of EIGHT PLUS NINE (Apprentice M L Yeung) which shifted in marginally. When SPECIAL K was checked, the following horses were all hampered: AMBITIOUS OWNER, TAN TAT BABY, JOHNSON and GRAND PROFIT. As the Stewards did not believe either rider was responsible for this incident, no further action was taken, however, Apprentice Yeung was advised to ensure he leaves sufficient racing room for horses to his inside at all times. FOREVER ELATION was unable to obtain clear running until near the 300 Metres. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied the riding of C K Tong (WIN PRACTITIONER), 6th placegetter, did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out to the end of the race wherever possible. When questioned, Apprentice T H So (SPECIAL K) advised that he had been instructed to ride his mount along in the early stages in an endeavour to clear runners to his inside and then to steady SPECIAL K to obtain a position in 4th or 5th. He said accordingly he rode along in the early stages to clear runners to his inside, upon reaching the fence he steadied SPECIAL K, however, only EIGHT PLUS NINE proceeded to improve its position to his outside. He said for this reason SPECIAL K was obliged to race further forward today than he had been instructed. Trainer D J Hall confirmed the instructions issued to Apprentice So. He said that he advised Apprentice So to be positive on the horse in the early stages and then endeavour to settle it behind the speed. He did say that he was surprised to see SPECIAL K share the lead in this event. The Stewards will afford D Whyte, the rider of TAN TAT BABY, the opportunity to explain the disappointing performance of the horse prior to the Happy Valley racemeeting next Wednesday 11 November 2009. A veterinary inspection of TAN TAT BABY and SPECIAL K after the race did not show any significant findings. JOHNSON, CHATER WAY and SUNRISE were sent for sampling.