20/04/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

HAPPY EAGLE was slow to begin. FAT DRAGON took some time to muster speed. Passing the 600 Metres, NOBLE FLIER was severely checked when disappointed for running between SOLAR WONDER and PRIVATE ROAD which shifted to the outside of FAT DRAGON which was commencing to be taken back through the field by SUPER CAGA which was weakening. Shortly after straightening, HEALTHY MANNER got its head on the side, shifted in and bumped BILLION. When questioned regarding his riding of SUPER CAGA, P Strydom said that he had been instructed to lead on the horse as it was attempting the 2200 Metres for the first time and Mr C H Yip, the trainer of SUPER CAGA, felt that SUPER CAGA is one-paced. He said however that if SUPER CAGA was not able to lead comfortably, he was given the option to take a sit on the horse. He said in the early stages SUPER CAGA obtained a position outside and behind BILLION and he was content in maintaining this position as he felt that the tempo of the race in the early stages was good. He said that when FAT DRAGON improved its position to the outside of SUPER CAGA shortly after entering the Straight on the first occasion, SUPER CAGA commenced to over-race and travel keenly. He said as he was reluctant to heavily restrain SUPER CAGA at this time of the race, given that the trainer had advised him that the horse was one-paced, he was content to allow SUPER CAGA to maintain its position. He added passing the winning post on the first occasion he attempted to steady SUPER CAGA without heavily restraining it, however, SUPER CAGA continued to race keenly and would not steady despite his attempts. He said for this reason rather than continue to attempt to steady SUPER CAGA, he elected near the 1200 Metres to position his mount alongside BILLION which was racing to his inside in the hope that that horse would be restrained which would give SUPER CAGA the outright lead. He added however that BILLION maintained its position at this time and this resulted in the tempo of the race from the winning post on the first occasion to the 800 Metres being faster than he had hoped. He said passing the 1000 Metres he again steadied SUPER CAGA as he was aware that the tempo of the race was too fast, however, SUPER CAGA came under pressure from the 800 Metres and weakened out of the race. Trainer C H Yip confirmed that he had advised Jockey Strydom that, in his opinion, SUPER CAGA is one-paced and accordingly he instructed Jockey Strydom to lead on the horse if possible given that it was stepping up to 2200 Metres tonight. He did say however that he advised Jockey Strydom that if another horse was intent on leading, he should sit off that horse. He said after viewing the video, he was satisfied that Jockey Strydom had made a sufficient effort to steady SUPER CAGA after that horse commenced to travel keenly when FAT DRAGON improved to his outside after entering the Straight on the first occasion. P Strydom was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made a far greater effort than he did on this occasion to steady the tempo on SUPER CAGA and sit off BILLION to his inside. P Strydom was severely reprimanded and advised that riders in Hong Kong are expected to show far more judgement in respect of tempo than he did on this occasion. Prior to being permitted to race again, SUPER CAGA, which finished tailed out, 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 PRIVATE ROAD after the race did not show any significant findings. SOLAR WONDER and HEALTHY MANNER were sent for sampling.