24/10/2010  Shatin  Race 9

WINDICATOR POWER was withdrawn on 23.10.10 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WELL NOTED (Apprentice T H So). Before being allowed to race again, WINDICATOR POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the saddling stalls, Mr T W Leung, the trainer of HEALTHY FARM, advised the Veterinary Officer that, in his opinion, the horse appeared to be lame in its right front foot. An examination by the Veterinary Officer of HEALTHY FARM confirmed that the horse was displaying mild right fore lameness and accordingly was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of HEALTHY FARM. Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY FARM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From a wide barrier, EN MASSE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Throughout the race, NICE FOLKS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte (LUCKY MAGIC) stated that passing the 600 Metres he was racing to the outside of FLYING COLOURS. He said rounding the Home Turn LUCKY MAGIC dropped the bit and despite being vigorously ridden along was not able to quicken with FLYING COLOURS. He said then in the early part of the Straight LUCKY MAGIC lay in and raced greenly. He said after taking some time to get rebalanced, LUCKY MAGIC then finished off the race well. When questioned, B Doyle (MAELSTROM) stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden in advance of midfield today as it was at its most recent start when it finished 3rd over the straight 1000 Metres. He said MAELSTROM began only fairly and was off the bridle early in the race. He said it was not until after the 800 Metres that MAELSTROM commenced to travel more kindly. He added MAELSTROM had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then shifted to the outside of JACOBEE to continue improving near the 150 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of FREE AND EASY, H W Lai stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse positively from the outside barrier and obtain a forward position if possible. He said he rode the horse along in the early stages to clear runners to his inside and near the 850 Metres had obtained a position one horse off the fence outside MY GLORY. He said passing the 850 Metres he noticed Y T Cheng, the rider of MY GLORY, attempt to steady that horse, therefore he felt that there was an opportunity for FREE AND EASY to go on and lead the race. He said however that MY GLORY maintained its position to the inside of FREE AND EASY and passing the 800 Metres he became aware that he would not be able to cross MY GLORY and would be obliged to race in the one off position outside that horse. He said at about the 650 Metres he had a look behind him as he felt that the tempo of the race was too fast, however, he did not attempt to restrain FREE AND EASY at this time, rather he felt it was better to allow the horse to stride along. Trainer K W Lui confirmed that he had instructed H W Lai to go forward in the race as it had previously raced well when ridden in a forward position. He stated that, in his opinion, the tempo set by FREE AND EASY and MY GLORY in front was quicker than normal. He added that H W Lai should have made an effort to steady the tempo on FREE AND EASY to allow that horse to finish off the race. H W Lai was severely reprimanded for a lack of judgement shown on FREE AND EASY and was reminded that this was the second occasion of recent times that the Stewards have had cause to speak with him regarding the tempo he had set on horses. H W Lai was placed on notice and advised that he must ride his mounts at all times in such a fashion to ensure that they are given every opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place. Y T Cheng reported that he had been instructed to overcome a wide barrier by making use of MY GLORY to take up a forward position today. He said after obtaining the lead on the rail passing the 850 Metres, he felt that FREE AND EASY was being ridden in a manner to obtain the lead, therefore he elected to steady MY GLORY and allow FREE AND EASY to improve its position. He said despite his efforts to steady MY GLORY particularly at the 800 Metres, the horse did not come back underneath him and he was reluctant to restrain the horse further as he felt that MY GLORY would fight against him which would not be in its best interests. He said although he was aware that the tempo of the race was fast at this time of the race, he was not able to steady MY GLORY sufficiently in an endeavour to reduce the tempo. He added he nursed MY GLORY for as long as he was able in the early part of the Straight in an attempt to have the horse finish off the race, however, MY GLORY came under pressure prior to the 200 Metres and over the final 100 Metres weakened out of the race. He said due to the tempo of the race in the middle stages and the fact that FREE AND EASY was racing directly to his outside, MY GLORY was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MY GLORY after the race did not show any significant findings. MY GLORY, FLYING COLOURS and LUCKY MAGIC were sent for sampling.