06/10/2010  Happy Valley  Race 2

RARE TREASURE and STEEL NERVES bumped at the start. A short distance later, STEEL NERVES was steadied when crowded for room between RARE TREASURE which was taken out by FUN and FISHKING GLORY which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by CARE FREE LUCK which itself was steadied when crowded for room inside K-JACK which was racing tight to the inside of SUCCESSFUL ERA. B Prebble (TOUT VA BIEN) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in, causing SUCCESSFUL ERA to be checked. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 1 November 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 20 October 2010. When questioned, Z Purton stated that in the early part of the Straight FISHKING GLORY did not respond to being ridden with the whip and for this reason he put the whip away and attempted to ride the horse out hands and heels in the hope that it would finish off the race. He said however that he was disappointed with the manner in which FISHKING GLORY failed to respond to his riding in the Straight. When questioned regarding the improved performance of STEEL NERVES, Trainer C W Chang stated that he was pleased with the first up performance of the horse as it had made up ground over the concluding stages to finish off the race well. He said however that at its last start over 1650 Metres, he had been very disappointed with the horse’s performance. He said even though the horse travelled wide and without cover as instanced in the Stewards’ Report, he was disappointed in the manner in which STEEL NERVES weakened out of the race. He said for this reason he decided to alter the training programme of STEEL NERVES and add blinkers to the horse’s gear in an endeavour to have it “switch on”. He said he trialed the horse on 28 September 2010 and STEEL NERVES, with the blinkers applied, trialed very well. He said the principal factors behind the horse’s improved performance tonight were the addition of the blinkers and the fact that he had stepped up the horse’s work. When questioned, Mr T W Leung, the trainer of CHINA GOOD, stated that he had instructed B Doyle, after consultation with the owners, to ride the horse in a forward position tonight from barrier 12. He said it was felt that with TOUT VA BIEN being drawn to its inside, CHINA GOOD would be able to follow that horse across to a position closer to the rail and would be able to be positioned behind the leaders. He said at its most recent start over the course and distance when drawn barrier 10 with only 10 runners in the field, he had instructed the rider on that occasion to take the horse back in the early stages and ride it for luck. He said tonight when TOUT VA BIEN did not show as much early pace as had been anticipated, CHINA GOOD was left racing in a position outside of that horse rather than being able to obtain cover behind runners. Mr Leung was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was reminded of the necessity for horses trained by him to be ridden in a consistent manner wherever possible. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUCCESSFUL ERA, D Whyte stated that he had trialed the horse in the lead up to tonight’s race and, in his opinion, that trial had been poor. He said on that occasion SUCCESSFUL ERA trialed with side winkers and due to the manner in which the horse trialed, it had been decided to remove that piece of gear from the horse tonight. He said although SUCCESSFUL ERA struck some interference near the 1000 Metres, the horse travelled only fairly in the run and was under pressure well before the Home Turn. The performance of SUCCESSFUL ERA, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUCCESSFUL ERA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FUN and SUCCESSFUL ERA after the race did not show any significant findings. STEEL NERVES and RARE TREASURE were sent for sampling.