09/04/2011  Shatin  Race 2

SABINA was slow to begin. Near the 1500 Metres, BLEDISLOE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHANTILLY. For some distance near the 1200 Metres, SABINA commenced to over-race and was checked away from the heels of ROCKET POWER. Near the 700 Metres, KINGSTON SPARTACUS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PEGASUS SUPREME. Rounding the Home Turn, HAPPY CHA CHA was momentarily crowded for room inside KINGSTON SPARTACUS which itself was awkwardly placed inside CHANTILLY. Near the 350 Metres, SABINA, which had been shifted out to obtain clear running, was checked when disappointed for a run between BLEDISLOE and INDUSTRIAL HERO which got its head on the side and shifted out. Near the 100 Metres, HAPPY CHA CHA, which had been experiencing difficulty obtaining clear running, was steadied when momentarily unable to obtain clear running between HANDSOME BATCHELOR and FULL SPIRIT. In this incident, HAPPY CHA CHA bumped FULL SPIRIT which in turn shifted in, resulting in ROCKET POWER being hampered. When questioned, C W Wong (INDUSTRIAL HERO) stated that he had been instructed if possible to ride the horse in a similar manner to its last start when the horse was able to travel behind the leaders. He said however that it was stressed to him to ensure that the horse was settled as INDUSTRIAL HERO had previously got its head up in races. He said INDUSTRIAL HERO began awkwardly and was then bumped by BLEDISLOE which shifted in. He said this resulted in him becoming unbalanced in the saddle and causing INDUSTRIAL HERO to race back in the field. He said after this he attempted to shift INDUSTRIAL HERO across behind runners, however, the horse got its head up on a number of occasions and would not shift in towards the fence. He said after obtaining a position with cover behind BLEDISLOE after the 1400 Metres, INDUSTRIAL HERO travelled satisfactorily until near the 1200 Metres at which point the tempo of the race slackened appreciably, INDUSTRIAL HERO then commenced to over-race, therefore he shifted away from the heels of BLEDISLOE into a position three wide without cover. He added as he was not able to steady INDUSTRIAL HERO at this time, he allowed the horse to stride forward rather than to continue to fight the horse. Mr C H Yip, trainer of INDUSTRIAL HERO, confirmed the intention had been to have the horse racing in 3rd or 4th position with cover if possible. He said whilst BLEDISLOE had shifted in and bumped INDUSTRIAL HERO, he believed that C W Wong should have made a greater effort than he did to have the horse begin better. He added he also felt that it would have been more advantageous for INDUSTRIAL HERO if the horse had been able to shift in towards the fence in the early stages to obtain cover. C W Wong was severely reprimanded and advised that his riding of INDUSTRIAL HERO was not up to the standard expected of a senior jockey in Hong Kong and that he must wherever possible ride his mounts in accordance with his instructions and ride them in such a manner so that they are able to finish off their race. A veterinary inspection of CHANTILLY after the race did not show any significant findings. FULL SPIRIT and HANDSOME BATCHELOR were sent for sampling.