16/04/2016  Shatin  Race 5

WONDERFUL JOURNEY, which was leaning on the inside of its gate, began awkwardly and shortly after the start lost ground when crowded for room between POWER OF ONE which shifted out and TEAM FORTUNE which shifted in after bumping FOREVER ACCURATE. From a wide barrier, SOCCER BRAVE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1000 Metres, GOAL FOR GOLD was crowded for room inside SPEEDY ACHIEVER which got its head on the side and shifted in away from POWER OF ONE (K C Leung). Then approaching the 900 Metres, GOAL FOR GOLD was checked when tightened for room between INVINCIBLE DRAGON and SPEEDY ACHIEVER which continued to lay in away from POWER OF ONE and then raced tight inside that horse which shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TEAM FORTUNE. K C Leung was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to leave comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. After the 900 Metres, POWER OF ONE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FOREVER ACCURATE. Passing the 500 Metres, TEAM FORTUNE and NO MONEY NO TALK were crowded for room between WAH MAY FRIEND which raced very wide and ALMABABY which got its head on the side and lay out. In this incident, WAH MAY FRIEND became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by NO MONEY NO TALK. Approaching the 150 Metres, POWER OF ONE, which was closing off the race fairly, shifted in away from the heels of ALMABABY (Y T Cheng) which shifted in under pressure. Then passing the 150 Metres, POWER OF ONE was checked when disappointed for a run between ALMABABY and GOAL FOR GOLD which shifted out to obtain clear running. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that POWER OF ONE had not established running to the inside of ALMABABY, nonetheless Y T Cheng was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. When questioned, T H So (NO MONEY NO TALK) stated that he had been instructed to attempt to obtain a midfield position with cover if possible from the outside barrier. He said after urging his mount along in the initial stages, he shifted NO MONEY NO TALK across behind runners and attempted to obtain a position behind POWER OF ONE which was being ridden along in the early stages. He said however that NO MONEY NO TALK commenced to prove difficult to settle and he was not able to restrain the horse sufficiently to obtain this trailing position. He added that as a consequence NO MONEY NO TALK was left racing outside POWER OF ONE after the 1000 Metres and wide. He said he continued to restrain NO MONEY NO TALK in an endeavour to obtain cover, however, the more he attempted to steady the horse, the more NO MONEY NO TALK commenced to travel keenly and because of this he was obliged to race very wide and without cover after the 900 Metres. T H So was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he should, wherever possible, attempt to ride his mounts in such a manner so that they do not cover unnecessary ground. Throughout the race, WAH MAY FRIEND travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on SPEEDY ACHIEVER at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY ACHIEVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WAH MAY FRIEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WAH MAY FRIEND, INVINCIBLE DRAGON and BLOCKER DEE were sent for sampling.