19/12/2010  Shatin  Race 6

ROCKET POWER was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between CHEERFUL DOUBLE and DREAMS MAKER which was taken out by GOOD FORTUNE. SURROUNDED was slow to begin. In the early stages, DREAMS MAKER got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. In the middle stages, ZEZAO proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUN HUA. Approaching the 300 Metres, Apprentice T H So (ROCKET POWER) dropped his whip. Near the 300 Metres, JUN HUA was steadied and shifted to the outside of SURE FORWARD to obtain clear running after being disappointed for running between that horse and DREAMS MAKER. Passing the 300 Metres, ZEZAO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DREAMS MAKER when held up for clear running. At the 200 Metres, SURROUNDED was steadied and shifted out when disappointed for running between JUN HUA and ZEZAO which shifted out to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, MARIACHI (O Doleuze) shifted out abruptly. MARIACHI continued to shift ground outwards towards the outside fence for the remainder of the race. Prior to being permitted to race again, MARIACHI will have to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a series of consecutive official barrier trials around a bend. O Doleuze was reprimanded for striking MARIACHI with the whip down the shoulder after passing the winning post. Throughout the race, CHEERFUL DOUBLE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice K C Leung stated that he had been instructed to ride MANY GAINS in a midfield position today as the horse had not been finishing off its races when being ridden to obtain forward positions. When questioned, M W Leung (NAMJONG FIGHTERS) stated that he had been instructed to have the horse in 5th or 6th position if possible. He said NAMJONG FIGHTERS was leaning against the outside of its stall as the start was effected and then shortly after the start was bumped by GOLDMEN Y Y which was taken in by SURE FORWARD. He said after this he rode NAMJONG FIGHTERS along to try and improve its position, however, he was caught racing behind runners and for these reasons got further back than had been intended. Trainer Y S Tsui confirmed the instructions and stated that he had asked Jockey Leung to position NAMJONG FIGHTERS in advance of midfield. M W Leung was advised that his riding of NAMJONG FIGHTERS in the early stages had come under notice and that he should have made more of an effort to obtain a more forward position than he did on this occasion. When questioned regarding his riding of GOOD FORTUNE, H W Lai stated that he had been instructed by Mr K W Lui, the trainer of GOOD FORTUNE, to obtain a forward position if the horse began well. He said this was consistent with the instructions he was given when he rode the horse at Sha Tin on 17 October 2010. He said however that as GOOD FORTUNE had not begun well in a number of its races, the horse had had to be ridden from behind. He said as it was anticipated that there would not be a lot of speed in today’s race, it was thought that GOOD FORTUNE would be able to take up a more forward position without too much use having to be made of the horse. He said GOOD FORTUNE began well, therefore he rode the horse along in an endeavour to cross runners to his inside. He said after obtaining the fence near the 1400 Metres, he steadied GOOD FORTUNE to allow other runners to improve their positions around GOOD FORTUNE, however, the horse proved difficult to settle for some distance. Mr Lui advised the Stewards that he had instructed a number of jockeys who had ridden GOOD FORTUNE to take up a forward position if the horse began well. He said however that GOOD FORTUNE had not been able to take up a forward position in its races despite his intentions. He said when GOOD FORTUNE began well today, it was able to take up a forward position, however due to the manner in which GOOD FORTUNE failed to finish off the race, it would now be his intention to have the horse ridden in a midfield position if circumstances permit. Mr Lui was reminded of his obligation to have his horses ridden in a consistent manner where circumstances permit. A veterinary inspection of SURROUNDED after the race did not show any significant findings. SURROUNDED, CHAMPAGNE DAYS and SURE FORWARD were sent for sampling.