12/10/2014  Shatin  Race 2

WINNING BOY, SPARKLING SWORD and JUST GOOD were all slow to begin. After being slow to begin, JUST GOOD was hampered shortly after the start when SPARKLING SWORD shifted in. LUCKY BOLE was crowded for room on jumping between SOLAR DRAGON and CAPTAIN AMERICA, both of which shifted ground. After the 600 Metres, HAPPY HOMING and SPARKLING SWORD raced tight. Approaching and passing the 300 Metres, HAPPY HOMING raced in restricted room inside GOOD SMILE which, when giving ground, raced tight inside CAPTAIN AMERICA. Approaching the 250 Metres, GOOD SMILE shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CAPTAIN AMERICA. Throughout the race, CAPTAIN AMERICA travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards opened an inquiry into H W Lai's riding of GOOD SMILE in the early and middle stages. H W Lai said, as he expected, he had been instructed to lead in today's race. He said he had anticipated receiving these instructions as he had previously ridden GOOD SMILE in a number of its races and the instructions had always been to go forward on the horse. He said to the best of his knowledge, GOOD SMILE had not previously performed well when required to race with cover. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode along vigorously in the early stages, however, it was clear to him that GOOD SMILE would not show sufficient speed to clear HAPPY GOAL which was racing to his inside and which showed superior speed to GOOD SMILE. He said therefore he elected near the 1100 Metres to stop riding his mount along and was content to assume the position racing outside HAPPY GOAL. He added after the 1100 Metres it became apparent to him that CAPTAIN AMERICA was being ridden along to obtain a forward position and as he was of the view that this horse would also not show sufficient speed to cross HAPPY GOAL, he elected to ride his mount along in order to maintain the position outside HAPPY GOAL. He said he did not want to allow CAPTAIN AMERICA to cross GOOD SMILE as the horse had not finished off its races when having to be ridden in this manner in the past. He said for this reason he continued to niggle at GOOD SMILE to ensure that it held the position between HAPPY GOAL and CAPTAIN AMERICA so as to prevent CAPTAIN AMERICA from crossing GOOD SMILE. He said at no stage had Trainer L Ho mentioned to him what the instructions were for HAPPY GOAL, a stablemate of GOOD SMILE, however, he anticipated that that horse would also be ridden to lead given that it had raced successfully recently in that position. He added his instructions were given separately to K C Leung, the rider of HAPPY GOAL, in the Parade Ring. Trainer Ho confirmed that he had given both K C Leung and H W Lai similar instructions, that was to go forward and lead. He said both horses are noted to race best when dictating races. He said he expected that HAPPY GOAL would show superior speed to GOOD SMILE as that horse had race fitness whereas GOOD SMILE was first up in today's race since June. He added at no stage did he inform either K C Leung or H W Lai what the instructions were for the horse they were not riding. When questioned, K C Leung stated that the instructions he had been provided for HAPPY GOAL were given in the Parade Ring by Mr Ho in the presence of the owners. He said he had been instructed to lead and he had anticipated that this would be the case given that HAPPY GOAL raced successfully last start over the course and distance when leading. He said no reference was made as to how GOOD SMILE would be ridden either prior to or when the instructions were given by Mr Ho. H W Lai was advised that his riding of a horse had previously come under notice this season and similarly his riding of GOOD SMILE in persisting to maintain his position outside HAPPY GOAL also came under notice. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they are able to be given the opportunity to close off their races and so as to ensure that his riding is not open to query. Mr Ho was advised that his evidence was noted. A veterinary inspection of SOLAR DRAGON and CAPTAIN AMERICA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY GOAL and SPARKLING SWORD were sent for sampling.