11/09/2011  Shatin  Race 4

HOW WONDERFUL began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of LET’S GOAL which became unbalanced and lost ground. MR MARFACH was slow to begin. Near the 1300 Metres, BILLION, PROSPERITY and FERRABOSCO all raced tight inside TREASURE GLITTER (Apprentice K C Ng) which shifted in. Apprentice Ng was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in future. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng, in the presence of his allocated trainer and trainer of TREASURE GLITTER, Mr C H Yip, stated that after shifting out near the 1300 Metres to relieve tightening to horses to his inside, he continued forward on TREASURE GLITTER in an attempt to cross PROSPERITY in order to race outside the leader, YOUNG HERO. He said however that as he was attempting to cross PROSPERITY, he received a number of calls from his inside and as he was aware that he was not properly clear of PROSPERITY, he continued to race in a three wide position. He added at the time he felt that TREASURE GLITTER would have had to be ridden along to cross PROSPERITY and as he did not want to make too much use of the horse first up, he elected to remain racing in a three wide position rather than to continue forward to cross PROSPERITY. Mr Yip stated that immediately after the race he had questioned Apprentice Ng as to why he had not cleared PROSPERITY and raced in a two wide position outside of YOUNG HERO. He said he had advised Apprentice Ng that, in his opinion, he should have made more of an effort than he did on TREASURE GLITTER to clear PROSPERITY and avoid racing three wide. Apprentice Ng was advised by the Stewards that his riding of TREASURE GLITTER on this occasion lacked judgment and that he should have made more of an effort than he had to avoid racing unnecessarily wide. After the 600 Metres, BILLION became unbalanced when steadied away from the heels of YOUNG HERO. Apprentice C Y Ho (SOLAR WONDER) was warned for using the whip in the forehand manner down the horse’s shoulder on a number of occasions approaching and passing the 200 Metres. Near the 150 Metres, FERRABOSCO was steadied when crowded for room between SOLAR WONDER and TREASURE GLITTER, both of which shifted slight ground. As the Stewards were not of the belief that there was any rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Passing the 150 Metres, BILLION was held up for clear running. When questioned, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that from a wide barrier he was asked to have YOUNG HERO in a position in advance of midfield. He said however that YOUNG HERO began best and rather than restrain the horse and risk having to travel wide, he elected to take advantage of the manner in which YOUNG HERO began and allowed the horse to take up a forward position. Following the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on ZEPHYRUS at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ZEPHYRUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MR MARFACH had lost its left front plate and that SOLAR WONDER had lost its right hind plate. A veterinary inspection of WATCH FIRST and FERRABOSCO after the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORY MASCOT and LET’S GOAL were sent for sampling. <12/9/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that SOLAR WONDER had a corneal ulceration to the left eye on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SOLAR WONDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.