10/07/2011  Shatin  Race 8

SUNNY FAY was slow to begin. In the early stages, both LONGWAH SUPREME and HEARTLAND proved difficult to settle. Passing the 800 Metres, HEARTLAND shifted out abruptly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHARMGOLD. Near the 200 Metres, LUCKY TURBO shifted in abruptly when struck with the whip. Throughout the race, LUCKY TURBO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of TALLEY CLOSE, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong today, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that he had been instructed from the outside barrier to shift TALLEY CLOSE across behind runners shortly after the start and have the horse travelling where it was comfortable. He said he was told to then improve his position as opportunities became available. He said after obtaining the ride on TALLEY CLOSE on 8 July 2011, he viewed the horse’s barrier trials and noted that the horse had been inclined to lay in in those trials. He said TALLEY CLOSE began well today, he immediately shifted the horse across behind runners. He said making the first turn near the 800 Metres he was able to improve between HEARTLAND and be positioned to the outside of SUNNY FAY. He said rounding the Home Turn TALLEY CLOSE got its head on the side and commenced to lay in. He added at the entrance to the Straight he was positioned inside the heels of CHARMGOLD and behind PURE FORCE. He said at this stage CHARMGOLD shifted out slightly and it appeared to him that a run to the inside of that horse and outside PURE FORCE would eventuate. He said he therefore positioned TALLEY CLOSE to obtain this run when it became completely available. He added however that the run between those horses did not eventuate and as he was positioned well inside the heels of CHARMGOLD, he was obliged to steady TALLEY CLOSE to position his mount to obtain clear running to the outside of CHARMGOLD. He said at that time TALLEY CLOSE was continuing to lay in and because of this proved difficult to shift to the outside of CHARMGOLD. He added after obtaining clear running to the outside of that horse passing the 250 Metres, TALLEY CLOSE initially stopped laying in and raced more generously. He said that he placed TALLEY CLOSE under pressure, however, after improving to the outside of CHARMGOLD, it again got its head on the side and continued to lay in. He said despite this, he was able to use the whip in the right hand on TALLEY CLOSE and the horse finished off the race strongly. He said however that near the 50 Metres TALLEY CLOSE continued to get its head on the side and shifted in and became awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNNY FAY which shifted out slightly. He said for this reason he was obliged to stop riding TALLEY CLOSE with the whip and direct his mount out away from the heels of SUNNY FAY. Apprentice Yeung was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, the Stewards held some concern as to the length of time it took for him to extricate TALLEY CLOSE out from behind CHARMGOLD into clear running. He was further advised in future to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a fashion so as to leave no room for query. A veterinary inspection of TALLEY CLOSE after the race did not show any significant findings. LONGWAH SUPREME and KING MOSSMAN were sent for sampling.