10/05/2011  Shatin  Race 6

SABINA was slow to begin. Passing the 1500 Metres, SOLAR WONDER got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of YOUNG HERO. In the early stages, WADASURPRISE travelled wide and without cover and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve to race outside the leader, FERRABOSCO. Approaching the 1200 Metres, BREAKING POINT was taken wider by ZEPHYRUS which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to heels. A short distance later, BREAKING POINT (P Strydom) shifted back in, resulting in GOLDMEN Y Y being taken in onto SABINA which was steadied by its rider. P Strydom was advised to exercise care. Near the 700 Metres, HAPPY EAGLE, which was commencing to give ground, became unbalanced after shifting in and brushing the running rail. ZEPHYRUS, which was following, was checked away from the heels of HAPPY EAGLE in consequence. At the 400 Metres, CLASSA, which was commencing to give ground, was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of ZEPHYRUS. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by Apprentice C Y Ho, the rider of 3rd placed, GOLDMEN Y Y, against YOUNG HERO (W M Lai) being declared the winner alleging interference over the final 200 Metres. The Stewards found that in the early part of the Straight GOLDMEN Y Y shifted out under pressure, resulting in YOUNG HERO being taken wider. They further found that near the 150 Metres GOLDMEN Y Y raced tight between YOUNG HERO which shifted in slightly and PEGASUS SUPREME which also shifted out. Having regard to all the circumstances of this case and the margin between GOLDMEN Y Y and YOUNG HERO at the conclusion of the race, Apprentice Ho’s protest/objection was overruled. Accordingly, the Judge’s placings as semaphored were confirmed. Inside the 50 Metres, the whip of Apprentice C Y Ho was knocked from his grasp by the whip of W M Lai. When questioned, P Strydom stated that it had been intended for the horse to be ridden in a similar manner to its most recent start when it was successful and that was to ride it behind the leaders. He said as the start was effected BREAKING POINT lifted its front feet off the ground and then in the early stages despite being urged along did not show the gate speed that it did at its most recent start. He said shortly after the start he became aware that ZEPHYRUS was being vigorously ridden to improve its position to his outside and as the tempo of the race in the early stages was quite good, he elected to follow ZEPHYRUS rather than continue to urge BREAKING POINT forward to obtain the position as instructed. When questioned, M Du Plessis (SOLAR WONDER) stated that from barrier 4, it had been intended to take advantage of the inside draw and have SOLAR WONDER racing behind the leaders if possible. He said he rode SOLAR WONDER along in the early stages, however, the horse did not show sufficient speed to take up the intended position. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion when he attempted to steady SOLAR WONDER to obtain a position with cover behind YOUNG HERO, SOLAR WONDER commenced to over-race and for this reason was checked out across the heels of YOUNG HERO. He said in this incident SOLAR WONDER made contact with the hindquarters of WADASURPRISE on a number of occasions which resulted in both horses becoming badly unbalanced. He added that after this SOLAR WONDER followed the eventual winner, YOUNG HERO throughout the race, however, did not close off the race as strongly as it did when it was successful at its most recent start. A veterinary inspection of SOLAR WONDER after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SOLAR WONDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of STORM’S DESTINY after the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDMEN Y Y, YOUNG HERO and ZEPHYRUS were sent for sampling.