19/02/2017  Shatin  Race 2

CHEVALIER STAR began only fairly and then, despite being ridden along in the early stages, failed to muster speed and was left racing wide and without cover passing the 1000 Metres. From wide barriers, HAPPY LIFE, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT and SMART BABY were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 900 Metres, HAPPY LIFE commenced to race ungenerously and shifted out towards the heels of CROWN AVENUE, resulting in HAPPY LIFE being badly hampered. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, TOP LAURELS got its head up for some distance when being checked away from the heels of HIGH FIVE when proving difficult to settle. MOMENTUM LUCKY lost its right hind plate after the 600 Metres. CHEVALIER STAR lost its left front plate after the 300 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, HIGH FIVE reacted to the whip being used by J Moreira, the rider of MOMENTUM LUCKY. Near the 150 Metres, MOMENTUM LUCKY and HIGH FIVE raced tight due to both horses shifting ground. Then passing the 100 Metres, MOMENTUM LUCKY became unbalanced when continuing to race tight inside HIGH FIVE. When questioned, K Teetan stated that it had been intended for HARBOUR NOVA to utilize the horse’s inside draw and obtain a position in midfield or just in advance of midfield. He said after being placed in the barriers HARBOUR NOVA attempted to sit down which resulted in him having to be assisted by a starting gate handler. He said then as the start was effected HARBOUR NOVA began awkwardly and lost ground which resulted in the horse racing slightly further back in the field than had been intended. He said he had also been informed by the connections that HARBOUR NOVA has a limited sprint and therefore he should not expose the horse too early in the Straight as it had not finished off the race when ridden in this manner in the past. He said after beginning awkwardly he was able to take up a position just off midfield and was following TOP LAURELS which appeared to be travelling well in the middle stages. He said passing the 500 Metres he directed HARBOUR NOVA to the outside of TOP LAURELS in an endeavour to follow MORETHANLUCKY, however, TOP LAURELS was shifted out to improve to the outside of CALIFORNIA ASPAR passing the 400 Metres. He said he continued to follow TOP LAURELS as he expected to obtain a run to that horse’s outside and inside MORETHANLUCKY which was available near the 350 Metres. He said as he positioned HARBOUR NOVA to the outside of TOP LAURELS, that horse was then shifted out further to improve to the outside of CHEVALIER STAR. He said this resulted in HARBOUR NOVA being held up for clear running behind TOP LAURELS, however, he was not concerned about this at this time given his instructions to ensure that HARBOUR NOVA was not exposed too early in the Straight. He said as the run had previously been available between TOP LAURELS and MORETHANLUCKY, he was confident that this run would again become available, so he elected to continue to pursue the run to the outside of TOP LAURELS rather than shift to the inside of that horse in an endeavour to improve. He added that passing the 300 Metres MORETHANLUCKY got its head on the side and shifted out which presented a run that he had been anticipating and he immediately rode HARBOUR NOVA along to take advantage of that run. He said however that HARBOUR NOVA was disappointed for this run when TOP LAURELS was taken out by CHEVALIER STAR. He said for this reason he then immediately shifted HARBOUR NOVA to the inside of TOP LAURELS and placed his mount under heavy pressure. He said passing the 150 Metres he had to direct HARBOUR NOVA in away from the heels of CHEVALIER STAR to continue improving and the horse then finished off the race well. Trainer P O’Sullivan confirmed the riding instructions given to Jockey Teetan. He said HARBOUR NOVA had previously been reported to have had substantial amount of blood in its trachea following a number of its races and it was for this reason that he brought the horse back in distance for today’s race and had given it some time off since its most recent run in December last year. He said he had been disappointed with the manner in which HARBOUR NOVA had finished off some of its races when left in front too early and he believed that the internal issues that HARBOUR NOVA had experienced in its races had been the principal reason for the horse’s failure to finish off its races. He said he therefore emphasized to Jockey Teetan that he did not want the horse to obtain clear running too early in the Straight as he believed that it would be advantaged by being held up for a short sprint. He said after viewing the videos he accepted Jockey Teetan’s reasons for pursuing the run to the outside of TOP LAURELS rather than shifting the horse to the inside of TOP LAURELS until after being disappointed for running passing the 300 Metres. After viewing the videos and considering all the circumstances including the racing history of HARBOUR NOVA, the Stewards advised Jockey Teetan that his explanation would be reported, however, he was told to ensure that he is aware of all opportunities to improve his position as they become available so that his mounts are able to obtain clear running at the earliest opportunity. Mr O’Sullivan was advised that his evidence would be reported. A veterinary inspection of HARBOUR NOVA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RACING MATE immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. HIGH FIVE and MOMENTUM LUCKY were sent for sampling. <20/2/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, HARBOUR NOVA was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that there were no significant findings. HARBOUR NOVA was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer P O’Sullivan this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HARBOUR NOVA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.