03/06/2015  Happy Valley  Race 5

GOLDEN CHOICE and PEACE ON EARTH bumped on jumping. Shortly after the star, JOLLY POSH and REAL FIT bumped. From wide barriers, ALL TIMES LUCKY and STEP FASTER were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. BRAVE BROTHER lost its left front plate at the 850 Metres. Rounding the Hone Turn, FRUITFUL CHAMPION and TOMODACHI raced tight due to KING OF HOUSEHOLD shifting to the outside of REAL FIT into clear running. Over the concluding stages, BUNKER SHOT raced in restricted room inside REAL FIT which shifted in, resulting in its rider, N Callan, having to stop riding and straighten his mount close to the finishing line. In the Straight, BUNKER SHOT hung in and proved difficult to ride. When questioned, N Rawiller stated that he had been asked to ride TOMODACHI positively in the early stages and attempt to lead if possible from barrier 11. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode TOMODACHI along, however, the tempo in the early stages was very fast and when a considerable number of horses which were drawn inside TOMODACHI were ridden along to obtain forward positions, TOMODACHI was then not able to show sufficient early speed to be in a position to cross those runners. He said he did give some thought to steadying TOMODACHI making the turn near the 1000 Metres to take a trailing position behind GOLDEN CHOICE, however, that horse was travelling only fairly and he did not believe that he would be able to steady his mount sufficiently to obtain the position behind that horse. He added therefore he elected to remain racing to the outside of GOLDEN CHOICE in the hope that the pace would steady after entering the Back Straight. He said however that due to the make-up of the field, it was not possible for TOMODACHI to improve its position to cross runners to its inside and consequently it was left racing very wide and without cover throughout the race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TOMODACHI was distressed. Before being allowed to race again, TOMODACHI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Having in mind TOMODACHI’s previous record of having been distressed following a number of its races, the Stewards will interview Trainer D Cruz regarding this matter prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 7 June 2015. When questioned regarding his riding of FRUITFUL CHAMPION, Y T Cheng stated that although the horse had been able to lead and race well at its most recent start, he was advised by Mr K L Man, the trainer of FRUITFUL CHAMPION, that it was anticipated that tonight’s race would be run at a fast tempo and therefore he should, if possible, take a trailing position. He said it was anticipated that REAL FIT, JOLLY POSH and TOMODACHI would all take up leading positions and with JOLLY POSH and REAL FIT being drawn inside FRUITFUL CHAMPION, it was believed that those horses would lead and that FRUITFUL CHAMPION would be able to get a position behind those horses in the early stages. He said FRUITFUL CHAMPION began very well, however, due to his instructions and having in mind that REAL FIT and JOLLY POSH were being ridden along to his inside, he immediately steadied FRUITFUL CHAMPION in an endeavour to obtain a position behind REAL FIT one horse off the rail. He added however that FRUITFUL CHAMPION travelled too strongly and he was not able to steady his mount to assume the position behind REAL FIT but having in mind the instruction to attempt to take a trailing position, he interpreted those instructions were that he should not lead on FRUITFUL CHAMPION, therefore he was reluctant to ride his mount along in an endeavour to cross REAL FIT and JOLLY POSH to his inside. He said this resulted in FRUITFUL CHAMPION racing three wide and without cover throughout the race and consequently weakening in the Straight. Mr Man stated that although FRUITFUL CHAMPION had led at its last start, he anticipated tonight’s race would be run at a stronger pace and he was concerned that too much use would have to be made of FRUITFUL CHAMPION in the early stages were it to attempt to cross REAL FIT and JOLLY POSH. He said in a trial prior to being imported into Hong Kong, FRUITFUL CHAMPION had finished strongly when ridden from off the speed and he hoped that the horse would be able to follow REAL FIT throughout the race one horse off the rail. He said he felt that given that the race would likely be run at a strong tempo, this would provide FRUITFUL CHAMPION with the best opportunity to finish off its race. Mr Man was advised that he must not give instructions which are so binding as to deter jockeys from resorting to alternate tactics to ensure that horses are given every opportunity to finish off their race. Y T Cheng was severely reprimanded and advised that irrespective of the instructions given to him by Mr Man, his riding of FRUITFUL CHAMPION lacked judgement and initiative and was not up to the standard expected of a jockey in Hong Kong. He was advised that having regard to the manner in which his mount began tonight, it was clearly a more preferable option to allow FRUITFUL CHAMPION to stride forward and clear the runners to his inside rather than remain racing in a three wide position and without cover. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they are given every opportunity. A veterinary inspection of FRUITFUL CHAMPION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, A Suborics (ALL TIMES LUCKY) expressed concern regarding the action of the horse. A veterinary inspection of ALL TIMES LUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY POSH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING OF HOUSEHOLD, FRUITFUL CHAMPION, PEACE ON EARTH and REAL FIT were sent for sampling.