06/10/2011  Happy Valley  Race 3

TELECOM SUPER STAR was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, KING OF FISH II, despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, failed to muster speed. When questioned, Y T Cheng (ASSURE) stated that from barrier 11 he had been instructed to be positive on the horse in the early stages, cross runners to his inside and then if possible obtain a position with cover. He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode ASSURE vigorously in the early stages and making the first turn near the 1100 Metres commenced to cross runners to his inside. He said after shifting in to a three wide position near the 900 Metres, he had intended to continue to press on and cross SNITZEL KID to his inside, however, that horse was travelling strongly and he did not have sufficient clearance to shift in. He added that he continued forward with a view to possibly clearing SNITZEL KID and shifting in to one horse off the fence outside RARE TREASURE, however, to do so, he would have had to ride ASSURE vigorously and he did not believe that the horse was travelling well enough to cross SNITZEL KID. He said this contention was supported by the fact that as far out as 500 Metres from the finish, ASSURE came under pressure to maintain its position and commenced to give ground prior to the 400 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of FIVE STARS HOTEL, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong tonight, K C Leung stated that he had been instructed to ensure that FIVE STARS HOTEL was balanced throughout the race as the horse in its trials and in track work had shown a tendency to shift ground and be difficult to manage. He said that he was further instructed to ensure that FIVE STARS HOTEL was travelling where it was comfortable. He said as the start was effected FIVE STARS HOTEL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHATER POWER and after this he took FIVE STARS HOTEL across behind runners to obtain a position at the rear. He said as he was instructed to ensure that FIVE STARS HOTEL was balanced, he did not ride the horse along rounding the first turn near the 1000 Metres and for this reason the horse got out of its ground in the early stages. He said along the Back Straight he allowed FIVE STARS HOTEL to improve its position to be racing closer to PERFECT JOY and making the turn after the 600 Metres he slapped the horse down the shoulder as it got its head on the side and was inclined to lay out. He said when riding FIVE STARS HOTEL forward near the 500 Metres, the horse again got its head on the side and shifted out. He added that he had intended rounding the Home Turn to shift FIVE STARS HOTEL to the outside of runners, however, on straightening a run appeared between CHATER POWER and STAR LEGEND, a horse which is known to him to hang out in its races. He said rather than being taken unnecessarily wide, he elected to position FIVE STARS HOTEL to take advantage of this run, however, CHATER POWER shifted out away from the heels of ASSURE and for this reason he was obliged to shift to the inside of CHATER POWER to continue improving its position. He added that in the Straight FIVE STARS HOTEL raced very greenly and near the 150 Metres shifted out abruptly towards the heels of ASSURE. He said after having to check FIVE STARS HOTEL at this time, he immediately commenced to ride the horse along, however, near the 100 Metres FIVE STARS HOTEL again got its head on the side and shifted out towards ASSURE. He said for this reason he put the whip away and rode the horse out hands and heels to the line and FIVE STARS HOTEL finished off the race well. Trainer D J Hall confirmed that he had instructed K C Leung to ensure FIVE STARS HOTEL was balanced throughout the race as in its track work the horse had not always performed to expectations when let off the bridle. He said he did not know where FIVE STARS HOTEL would be positioned in the run, however, he did think that it was more than likely that the horse would be positioned in the second half of the field. He added in its most recent barrier trial at Sha Tin, the horse had been able to take up a handy position, however, the trial was run at a slow tempo and it was not expected that FIVE STARS HOTEL would be able to obtain a similar position in tonight’s race. K C Leung was advised that the Stewards accepted that FIVE STARS HOTEL had raced greenly at various stages of tonight’s race and in particular in the Straight. He was also advised that the Stewards were of the opinion that it was reasonable for him to pursue the run to the inside of STAR LEGEND rounding the Home Turn rather than continuing to shift to the outside of that horse. K C Leung was however told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made more of an effort in the early and middle stages to ensure that FIVE STARS HOTEL did not get too far out of its ground. He was further told to ensure that at all times he rides his mounts competitively. Mr Hall was advised his explanation would be reported, however, he has an obligation under the Rules to ensure that riders of horses trained by him are provided with instructions so as to ensure that they do not get too far out of their ground. After the race, G Cheyne (STAR LEGEND) stated that the horse, which raced wide and without cover, lost its action and gave ground after the 200 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHATER POWER, D Whyte stated that unlike at its most recent start when successful, from barrier 9 tonight, he was not able to obtain a position closer than three wide albeit that the horse had cover during the race. He said that CHATER POWER had proved in the past to be somewhat of an inconsistent horse and tonight came under pressure well before the Home Turn and, in his opinion, did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of CHATER POWER and FIVE STARS HOTEL after the race did not show any significant findings. SNITZEL KID and RARE TREASURE were sent for sampling.