03/05/2015  Shatin  Race 11

LUCKY SCEPTER, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began very awkwardly, shifted out shortly after the start ad bumped STARTING OVER. After this, LUCKY SCEPTER was shifted across behind runners. VICTORY HEART began only fairly and shortly after the start lost ground when crowded for room between SOLAR KINGDOM and SECRET COMMAND which shifted in. SUPER MAN began awkwardly and lost ground. After the 1300 Metres, FOREVER ACCURATE lost its left front plate. Approaching the 1200 Metres, SKY HERO lost its right front plate. After the 1000 Metres, VICTORY HEART commenced to travel keenly and was shifted out away from the heels of SECRET COMMAND. Also after the 1000 Metres, ETON BLITZ was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 350 Metres, THE SHOW and DASHING FELLOW raced tight. Approaching the 300 Metres, SKY HERO was shifted in away from the heels of OUTLAWED which was commencing to give ground. Then near the 300 Metres, SKY HERO became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room inside OUTLAWED which shifted in marginally. After the winning post, M L Yeung was dislodged from LUCKY SCEPTER. LUCKY SCEPTER was quickly captured and M L Yeung was able to weigh in as requested. After the race, K Teetan was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of FOREVER ACCURATE. He said he was able to obtain a position behind the speed, however, FOREVER ACCURATE came under pressure prior to the 500 Metres after which it weakened out of the race. He said although FOREVER ACCURATE did not feel comfortable in its action when giving ground, he was not able to detect any lameness issues with the horse. A veterinary inspection of FOREVER ACCURATE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of FOREVER ACCURATE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FOREVER ACCURATE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding of STARTING OVER, O Doleuze stated that from the outside barrier he had been asked to shift the horse across behind runners in the early stages and obtain inside runs if possible. He said after taking STARTING OVER across behind the field in the early stages, the horse became somewhat detached from the main body of the field due to the fast tempo of the race in the early and middle stages. He said he was able to position STARTING OVER to be following LUCKY SCEPTER after the 800 Metres as he felt that this horse may be able to take him into the Home Straight and then shift to the outside of it upon entering the Home Straight. He said after making the Home Turn he immediately shifted STARTING OVER to the outside of LUCKY SCEPTER and commenced to ride his mount along. He said near the 300 Metres STARTING OVER shifted in abruptly and became unbalanced and for this reason he changed the whip over into his right hand. He said when he did this, STARTING OVER then shifted out. He said because of the manner in which STARTING OVER was shifting ground, he was reluctant to use the whip and only used it sparingly over the latter stages of the race, however, at all times he rode his mount out vigorously hands and heels. O Doleuze was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted STARTING OVER had shifted ground in the Straight particularly at the 300 Metres, nonetheless he should ensure that he rides his mounts out to the best of his capabilities wherever circumstances permit. When questioned regarding his riding of OUTLAWED, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he had been given explicit instructions to lead on the horse as it was successful at its last start when ridden in this manner. He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode OUTLAWED vigorously in the early stages and was able to shift in to race outside SOLAR KINGDOM after the 1100 Metres. He said he continued to ride OUTLAWED along in the hope that Y T Cheng, the rider of SOLAR KINGDOM, would steady his mount and allow OUTLAWED to cross. He said however that SOLAR KINGDOM maintained its position and because of his instructions he felt obliged to continue to ride OUTLAWED along even though he was aware that the race was being run at a fast tempo. He said after the 800 Metres he discontinued riding OUTLAWED along, however, after the 600 Metres had to again ride it along to maintain its position. Trainer P F Yiu confirmed that the instructions provided to Apprentice Wong were to attempt to lead given these tactics were successful at its last start. He said whilst he was aware that SOLAR KINGDOM had shown pace in its races, he was hopeful that OUTLAWED would be able to cross that horse. He said given the tempo of the race and the amount of work that Apprentice Wong did on OUTLAWED, he felt that OUTLAWED’s chances would have best been served by him steadying his mount making the first turn rather than continuing on and attempting to obtain the lead. Apprentice Wong was advised that whilst he is a 10 lb claiming jockey, nonetheless, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in continuing to press for the lead after having to ride his mount along for such an extended period, particularly given that SOLAR KINGDOM was travelling strongly to the inside of OUTLAWED. A veterinary inspection of ETON BLITZ, OUTLAWED and STARTING OVER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SKY HERO, DASHING FELLOW and SECRET COMMAND were sent for sampling.