21/03/2010  Shatin  Race 10

At the time of declarations, Apprentice T H So was declared as both the rider of EASY AHEAD and MAKE IT. It was established that Apprentice So had a firm commitment for MAKE IT and accordingly the Stewards approved M W Leung to ride EASY AHEAD. For this declaration error, Apprentice So was fined $2,000. From the outside barrier, SUPER GURU was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. MAKE IT and MINGS’ HERO were slow to begin. ELEGANCE DESIRE and LUNAR REFLECTIONS bumped at the start. Near the 850 Metres, JOHNSON was checked when crowded for room between NORTH HILL which shifted out slightly and CHINA HERO (Apprentice M L Yeung) which shifted ground when laying in. Apprentice Yeung was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards were mindful that CHINA HERO was laying in with him, in the circumstances he should have made a far greater effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground in order to prevent causing interference to other runners. Making the turn at the 850 Metres, CHINA HERO blundered after striking the heels of LAMBRO which shifted out. After this, LAMBRO hung out until after straightening. NORTH HILL, which was racing to the inside of CHINA HERO, was hampered in consequence and JOHNSON, which was following CHINA HERO, was also hampered. After this, CHINA HERO travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 400 Metres, LUNAR REFLECTIONS was checked away from the heels of NORTH HILL when that horse was taken out by GOOD SMILE which itself was taken out slightly by EASY AHEAD which shifted ground when commencing to weaken. LUNAR REFLECTIONS then had difficulty obtaining clear running until passing the 150 Metres. ELEGANCE DESIRE was badly held up for clear running until near the 250 Metres. Near the 200 Metres, NORTH HILL raced tight between JOHNSON and LAMBRO which shifted out slightly. In this incident, NORTH HILL was struck across the nose by the whip of O Doleuze (JOHNSON). When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that he was instructed to ensure that CHINA HERO began well and to allow the horse’s natural speed to take it into a forward position. He said he was advised by Trainer Y S Tsui that the horse had gone too hard in front at its most recent start and for this reason the blinkers had been removed from the horse in an attempt to have it settle better. He said CHINA HERO began well, he commenced to shift his mount across shortly after the start, however, CHINA HERO immediately commenced to hang in and proved very difficult to ride. He said due to the manner in which CHINA HERO was racing, the horse was not able to take up a forward position as had been intended. Mr Tsui confirmed that he had instructed Apprentice Yeung not to ride CHINA HERO along in the early stages as he believed that the horse had sufficient pace to be able to lead without having to make too much use of it. He said he was disappointed with the manner in which the horse was ridden at its most recent start as, in his opinion, too much use was made of CHINA HERO and accordingly the horse was not able to finish off the race. A Gryder reported that MI REILLY gave ground in the Straight after being pressured in the lead. He said, in his opinion, the manner in which today’s race was run did not suit MI REILLY. ELEGANCE DESIRE, LUNAR REFLECTIONS and JOHNSON were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that ELEGANCE DESIRE had lost its left front plate and CHINA HERO had lost its right hind plate.