18/09/2016  Shatin  Race 3

On jumping, DIAMOND FRIENDS blundered badly, resulting in its rider, O Bosson, being dislodged. GOOD FIT began only fairly. DASHING SUPER shifted out at the start and bumped SALSA BROTHERS. When being steadied from a wide barrier to obtain a position with cover, ELECTRONIC PHOENIX was bumped by GOOD FIT which was taken out by CHEERFUL FRAME. From a wide barrier, RISING POWER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CHEERFUL FRAME failed to muster speed and after the 1400 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. Then after entering the Back Straight near the 1200 Metres, CHEERFUL FRAME was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. Near the 1600 Metres, RISING POWER was steadied away from the heels of SPINNING DANCER (Z Purton) which shifted in when not properly clear. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground. Passing the 1500 Metres, TRUE COMMENT was steadied away from the heels of DASHING SUPER which shifted in when racing tight to the inside of SALSA BROTHERS. SPINNING DANCER, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of TRUE COMMENT in consequence. After the 1300 Metres, TRUE COMMENT got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 1150 Metres, ELECTRONIC PHOENIX was hampered and taken wider by the riderless DIAMOND FRIENDS. At the 300 Metres, DASHING SUPER was checked when crowded for room inside CHEERFUL FRAME (Apprentice K K Chiong) which shifted in as the riderless DIAMOND FRIENDS, which was positioned to the outside of CHEERFUL FRAME, drifted in. Apprenticed Chiong was advised that whilst the Stewards appreciated that she was in an awkward position at this time, she was nonetheless asked to do her best in difficult circumstances to prevent causing interference to other runners. After the 200 Metres, DRAGON HARMONY was hampered when carried out by the riderless DIAMOND FRIENDS. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DASHING SUPER, B Prebble stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on DASHING SUPER and for this reason he rode the horse aggressively out of the barriers. He said after obtaining the lead passing the 1400 Metres, DASHING SUPER travelled satisfactorily until pressured by CHEERFUL FRAME and the riderless DIAMOND FRIENDS passing the 800 Metres. He said when this happened, he had to ride DASHING SUPER along to prevent CHEERFUL FRAME from crossing his mount and this resulted in DASHING SUPER having to make an extended run. He added DASHING SUPER was under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and although the horse was badly checked at the 300 Metres, it was well beaten at that time. He said he had previously ridden DASHING SUPER from a position behind the lead and the horse had closed off the race well and for this reason he was of the opinion that, unless DASHING SUPER is able to obtain an easy lead, the horse may be better suited by being ridden off the pace. A veterinary inspection of DASHING SUPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards opened an inquiry into Y T Cheng’s handling of MASTER GOLD. After taking evidence from Jockey Cheng, Mr L Ho, the trainer of MASTER GOLD, Dr P Schiff, Veterinary Officer, who reported that MASTER GOLD was found to be lame in its right front leg after the race as well as Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation, the Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a date to be fixed. Before being allowed to race again, MASTER GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SALSA BROTHERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SALSA BROTHERS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SALSA BROTHERS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DASHING SUPER, GOOD FIT and ELECTRONIC PHOENIX were sent for sampling.