16/05/2012  Shatin  Race 5

NOBLE DELUXE was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between GENKI MOOCHI and EURO POWER, both of which shifted ground. RUMBA KING and JUN DAO began awkwardly. After the 900 Metres, COSTA DEL SOL got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RUMBA KING (W C Marwing) which shifted in when not quite clear. W C Marwing was advised to exercise more care in future. In this incident, WINNING BOY, which was racing to the inside of COSTA DEL SOL, raced tight when COSTA DEL SOL shifted in away from the heels of RUMBA KING. Also after the 900 Metres, EURO POWER took charge of its rider and had to be severely checked away from the heels of GENKI MOOCHI which itself got its head up when proving difficult to settle. When EURO POWER was checked away from the heels of GENKI MOOCHI, it shifted in, resulting in NICE FOLKS being crowded onto RUMBA KING. The racing manners of EURO POWER were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, EURO POWER will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. Making the first turn after the 700 Metres, NICE FOLKS was checked when crowded for room between EURO POWER and RUMBA KING which got its head on the side and shifted out despite the efforts of its rider. Although this incident was one of some significance, as there was no rider error involved, no further action was taken. Also making the first turn after the 700 Metres, PALEPALE shifted out and bumped COSTA DEL SOL. After the 600 Metres, JUN DAO was crowded for room between NOBLE DELUXE and WINNING BOY which shifted out when being checked away from the heels of PALEPALE which at this time was being taken back through the field by VINTAGE HUSSLER. Near the 400 Metres, NICE FOLKS was crowded for room between EURO POWER and COSTA DEL SOL (Z Purton) which at this time was shifted to the outside of PROLIFIC CHAMPION to improve its position. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care. Near the 300 Metres, PROLIFIC CHAMPION was bumped by COSTA DEL SOL which shifted to the inside of GENKI MOOCHI to obtain clear running. When questioned, Z Purton stated that COSTA DEL SOL was able to obtain a good position in about midfield, however, when asked to quicken at the top of the Straight did not show the same turn of foot that it had done at its previous starts. He said in the Straight COSTA DEL SOL finished off the race only one-paced. When questioned regarding his riding of PALEPALE, T Clark stated that he had been given the option of either leading or taking a sit behind the speed if circumstances so warranted. He said it was expected that VINTAGE HUSSLER would obtain a forward position and that there would be the opportunity to either race inside that horse or take the position behind it. He said PALEPALE began well and he was positive on his mount in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said whilst VINTAGE HUSSLER was not being ridden along in the early stages, the horse maintained a margin over PALEPALE and because of this he formed the view that VINTAGE HUSSLER was going to be ridden in such a manner as to lead tonight’s race. He said although the tempo of the race in the early stages was not overly strong, he felt at that time that it was better to allow VINTAGE HUSSLER to cross PALEPALE rather than to ride PALEPALE along to maintain its position inside that horse. He added near the 950 Metres VINTAGE HUSSLER crossed PALEPALE, however, no sooner did this happen than the rider of VINTAGE HUSSLER steadied his mount to allow runners to its outside to cross. He said this resulted in PALEPALE racing much further back in the field than had been intended. He said that after being steadied by its rider, VINTAGE HUSSLER came under pressure to maintain its position making the first turn at the 700 Metres which resulted in PALEPALE being taken back through the field. He said he was not able to shift away from that horse’s heels until after the 600 Metres when COSTA DEL SOL improved its position to be racing outside VINTAGE HUSSLER. He said he immediately commenced to ride PALEPALE along to follow COSTA DEL SOL and improved his position, however, due to the circumstances of the race PALEPALE got too far back in the field and when ridden out in the Straight finished off the race only fairly. T Clark stated that, with the benefit of hindsight, he had erred in not maintaining his position inside VINTAGE HUSSLER and either obliging that horse to remain racing to his outside or having to make that horse work harder to cross PALEPALE. He said however that the decision he made at that time was made on the assumption that VINTAGE HUSSLER, a horse which is well-known to him to race in forward positions and to have good speed, would be ridden to lead which would provide PALEPALE with the “box seat”. Trainer D E Ferraris confirmed the instructions given to T Clark were to either lead or to obtain the “box seat”. He said that, in his opinion, T Clark had erred in allowing VINTAGE HUSSLER to cross PALEPALE too easily in the early stages and that he would have expected for PALEPALE, a horse which he believes has good tactical speed, to be ridden more positively than it was. He said after making the decision to allow VINTAGE HUSSLER to cross, PALEPALE was left in a position where it was taken back through the field and that he was disappointed with the outcome of tonight’s race. T Clark was advised that after having carefully considered the matter, the Stewards were of the opinion that whilst he had erred in allowing VINTAGE HUSSLER to cross in the early stages without having made that horse work harder to obtain a forward position, in the circumstances, this decision was not unreasonable and did not place him in breach of the Rules of Racing. However, he was advised that his riding of PALEPALE, given the tempo of the race in the early stages, lacked judgement and initiative and that in future he would be expected to ride his mounts in such a manner so as to leave no room for query. Mr Ferraris was advised that his explanation had been accepted and would be reported. A veterinary inspection of PALEPALE after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EURO POWER had bled from both nostrils and that GENKI MOOCHI had lost its left front plate. COSTA DEL SOL, RUMBA KING and NICE FOLKS were sent for sampling.