16/01/2013  Happy Valley  Race 1

SPARKLING was hampered when crowded for room at the start between SABINA and REALLY THE BEST which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. From wide barriers, EAST OCEAN and WATCH FIRST were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 700 Metres, PERFECT TEN was taken into a position three wide without cover when REALLY THE BEST shifted out. Over the concluding stages, KING GALILEO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNSEEKER. In the Straight, WATCH FIRST got its head on the side and proved difficult to ride. H W Lai (SPARKLING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of O’REILLY MAGIC, causing that horse to be checked, lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled and clip the heels of SPARKLING and blunder. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 2 February 2013. When questioned, Y T Cheng (FIERY PATROL) stated that as it was anticipated that there would be a lack of speed in tonight’s race, he had been instructed to position the horse in 2nd, 3rd or 4th if possible. He said he was also asked to ride FIERY PATROL in a position one horse off the rail to ensure that it would not be held up for running. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode FIERY PATROL along in the early stages to clear runners to his inside. He said when PERFECT TEN, which was positioned to his inside, near the 1600 Metres was not being vigorously ridden, he again rode his mount along to see if it would be able to cross that horse, however, PERFECT TEN maintained its position to his inside and therefore he elected to continue racing to its outside. He said he had hoped approaching the winning post on the first occasion that PERFECT TEN would shift across to race in the lead which would allow him to sit outside that horse, however, PERFECT TEN, after obtaining the position outside REALLY THE BEST, maintained its position, resulting in FIERY PATROL being left in a three wide position without cover. He said as the tempo of the race was only average passing the 1200 Metres, he considered allowing his mount to stride forward, however, he believed that even with the tempo as it was, he would have had to make use of FIERY PATROL and it would have been obliged to race near the lead which would not have been in the horse’s best interests and would have been contrary to his instructions, therefore he elected to remain racing in a three wide position. He added that after being left racing three wide and without cover, FIERY PATROL came under pressure to hold its position passing the 600 Metres and was beaten at this time. Mr T W Leung, the trainer of FIERY PATROL, confirmed that due to the anticipated lack of speed in tonight’s race, he had asked for the horse, which was also stepping up in distance tonight, to be ridden more forward than it was at its last start. He said, in his opinion, due to the circumstances of the race FIERY PATROL was left racing wide and without cover and that Jockey Cheng had attempted to ride to his instructions. Y T Cheng was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, rather than remain racing three wide and without cover, he should have at least made an attempt to allow FIERY PATROL to take up a more forward position closer to the rail. He was further advised that, wherever possible, to ensure horses ridden by him do not cover unnecessary ground. During the course of this inquiry, evidence was also taken from Mr K S Ho, assistant trainer to Mr Leung. It was established that Mr Leung was not present for the running of this race due to ill-health and that Mr Ho had provided the instructions to Jockey Cheng on behalf of Mr Leung following a telephone conversation earlier this afternoon. Mr Leung was advised that due to a number of inconsistencies in evidence tendered by himself and Mr Ho in respect of the instructions given to Jockey Cheng tonight, he must ensure that, as the trainer of the horse, that the manner in which he wishes for horses to be ridden are clearly relayed to jockeys should he be absent from a racemeeting in the future. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SABINA had lost its left front plate. A veterinary inspection of FIERY PATROL and SOLAR WONDER after the race did not show any significant findings. FIERY PATROL, MIZZEN GREY and SUNSEEKER were sent for sampling.