06/05/2012  Shatin  Race 2

DUO GLORY began very awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of FORZA, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced and DUO GLORY losing ground. DANEWIN TIGER and POSITIVE VIBRATION began awkwardly. GOOD SMILE and UNDOUBTEDLY MINE bumped at the start. A short distance later, GOOD SMILE was crowded for room between UNDOUBTEDLY MINE and EXPEDIENCE which shifted out after being bumped by D DAY SUPER. After this, GOOD SMILE was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed. After the 400 Metres, CAGA SPIRIT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FORZA which shifted out. When questioned regarding his riding over the final 400 Metres, T H So (GOOD SMILE) stated that he had placed his mount under heavy pressure in the early part of the race to have it in as forward a position as possible, however, despite his riding, GOOD SMILE did not show early speed and raced back in the field. He said after the 200 Metres GOOD SMILE commenced to hang out which restricted the manner in which he could ride the horse out over the final stages of the race. He said although GOOD SMILE made up some ground in the run to the line, in his opinion, the horse finished off the race only fairly. T H So was advised that his riding out of GOOD SMILE over the final 200 Metres had come under notice and that he must ensure that he properly tests his mounts wherever possible. When questioned regarding his riding out of HAPPY HOMING over the final stages, C W Wong said that he tested his mount vigorously until after the 200 Metres. He said at this time HAPPY HOMING commenced to get its head on the side and shift in towards the heels of QUIET CONFIDENCE. He said for this reason he put the whip away and rode the horse out mainly hands and heels in the run to the line so as to ensure that HAPPY HOMING did not shift in across the heels of QUIET CONFIDENCE as at that time the horse was racing about a length behind that horse. C W Wong was advised to ensure that he rides his mounts out to the best of his ability wherever circumstances permit. After the race, Y T Cheng reported that EXPEDIENCE made an abnormal breathing noise after passing the winning post. A veterinary inspection of EXPEDIENCE after the race revealed that the horse was a “roarer”. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DANEWIN TIGER had overreached the outside of its right front heel. DUO GLORY, UNDOUBTEDLY MINE and SPEECHMAKER were sent for sampling.