29/03/2017  Happy Valley  Race 1

On arrival at the Start, K Teetan expressed concern regarding the action of ALWAYS WONGCHOY. ALWAYS WONGCHOY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who, after the necessary consultations, said the horse was suitable to race. SUPER SWEET ORANGE shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MASSIVE POWER which became unbalanced. STORM KID began only fairly. From wide barriers, RISING POWER and ALWAYS WONGCHOY were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. For some distance after the 1300 Metres, UNIQUE JOYFUL proved very difficult to settle and raced close to the heels of MASSIVE POWER. Approaching the 1200 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE got its head up when travelling keenly and passing the 1200 Metres shifted out, resulting in MR KOOL being taken into a position three wide and without cover. MR KOOL was then allowed to stride forward into the lead approaching the 800 Metres. Approaching the 800 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 700 Metres, after being crossed by MR KOOL, EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA commenced to prove difficult to settle and shifted out away from the heels of that horse and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of FUN MANAGER which became unbalanced. SUPER SWEET ORANGE, which was following EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA and also proving difficult to settle, attempted to improve inside the heels of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA where there was insufficient room, resulting in SUPER SWEET ORANGE having to be checked. STORM KID, which was following SUPER SWEET ORANGE, was checked in consequence after improving between SUPER SWEET ORANGE and UNIQUE JOYFUL which was awkwardly placed behind MASSIVE POWER. Rounding the Home Turn, SUPER SWEET ORANGE was crowded for room inside MASSIVE POWER which lay in away from SPICY DOUBLE. When questioned regarding his riding of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA, Apprentice H T Mo stated that he had been instructed that if the horse began well, to take advantage of the horse's inside draw and attempt to lead. He said after beginning well, in accordance with his instructions, he rode EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA along in the early stages and was able to obtain the lead well prior to passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said after obtaining the lead, he attempted to steady the tempo to ensure that the horse was able to finish off the race as best as it was able. After being informed of the sectionals of the race, particularly from the start to the 1200 Metres, Apprentice Mo agreed that he had slowed the tempo to such an extent that it encouraged the rider of MR KOOL to improve his position forward of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA after the 900 Metres due to the slow tempo he had set in the lead. Mr C S Shum, the trainer of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA and the allocated trainer of Apprentice Mo, confirmed the instructions given to Apprentice Mo and stated that, in his opinion, Apprentice Mo had not shown the necessary amount of judgement in respect of the tempo that he set on EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA when leading on the horse in the early and middle stages. Apprentice Mo was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, his riding of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA was particularly disappointing, given that he, along with the Club's other apprentice jockeys, was spoken to by the Stewards and the Chief Riding Instructor regarding rating their mounts in the lead. A veterinary inspection of MASSIVE POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that RISING POWER was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, RISING POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPER SWEET ORANGE, MR KOOL and GOLDEN PARTNERS were sent for sampling.