05/10/2017  Happy Valley  Race 2

SHARPMIND was slow to begin and shifted out on jumping and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of I’M A WITNESS which became unbalanced. AUTOPAY began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, LONDON CITY shifted out and hampered HAPPY HAPPY and SO GENEROUS. After this, from the outside barriers, both HAPPY HAPPY and SO GENEROUS were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. ENJOY LIFE was steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. Near the 1000 Metres, ENJOY LIFE, which initially attempted to improve inside NEVER BETTER, was steadied when momentarily tightened inside that horse. Near the 850 Metres, SO GENEROUS (W M Lai) shifted in, resulting in HAPPY HAPPY being crowded for room between SO GENEROUS and EVER STRONG. W M Lai then directed SO GENEROUS out abruptly to relieve the tightening to HAPPY HAPPY. The crowding to HAPPY HAPPY was then exacerbated by EVER STRONG shifting out marginally. Whilst the Stewards acknowledged that W M Lai had made a satisfactory effort to shift SO GENEROUS out to relieve the pressure to HAPPY HAPPY, nonetheless he was advised to ensure that he makes every effort to prevent his mount from shifting ground in similar circumstances. OTOUTO travelled wide and without cover until passing 600 Metres after which LONDON CITY was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 150 Metres, OTOUTO, which was giving ground, was checked away from the heels of EVER STRONG which, after initially being taken out by ENJOY LIFE (M L Yeung), then shifted out away from that horse. M L Yeung was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. Near the 50 Metres, EVER STRONG was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of ENJOY LIFE which shifted out under pressure. After the race, Apprentice H T Mo (AUTOPAY) advised that his saddle shifted back in the early stages, placing him at a disadvantage, particularly making the first turn when for some distance after the 1000 Metres AUTOPAY proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of LONDON CITY (K Teetan) which shifted in when barely clear. Whilst the Stewards accepted that AUTOPAY was particularly difficult to settle, nonetheless K Teetan was advised to ensure that he provides proper clearance when shifting ground. After the race, it was noted that Apprentice Mo’s saddle had shifted back considerably. Then for some distance approaching and passing the 900 Metres, AUTOPAY continued to prove very difficult to settle and repeatedly got its head up when being checked away from the heels of LONDON CITY. This resulted in AUTOPAY shifting out across the heels of LONDON CITY after the 800 Metres. AUTOPAY continued to prove very difficult to settle when racing wide and without cover throughout the middle stages. A veterinary inspection of AUTOPAY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. When questioned, K Teetan stated that given LONDON CITY’s wide barrier and the speed anticipated to be shown by horses that were more favourably drawn, namely EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE, I’M A WITNESS, OTOUTO and possibly AUTOPAY, it was felt that LONDON CITY would have to do too much work to overcome the wide barrier were it to be ridden along to cross runners to obtain a position near the lead. He said he was therefore asked to obtain a position with cover and it was hoped that LONDON CITY may be able to obtain cover in midfield or slightly better. He said LONDON CITY began very well, however, he immediately noticed that, as expected, EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE, I’M A WITNESS and particularly OTOUTO were being hard ridden in the early stages and he felt that even though LONDON CITY had jumped well, he would have had to place pressure on the horse to be able to cross those runners to his inside. He said he therefore steadied LONDON CITY and was able to obtain a position three wide after the 1000 Metres but with cover behind OTOUTO. Trainer D E Ferraris confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Teetan. He said he felt the race would be run at a good tempo with a number of well-drawn horses having previously shown good early speed in their races. He said he therefore asked Jockey Teetan to obtain a position with cover behind the speed if possible as he felt that were LONDON CITY to be ridden forward, the horse would not be able to then finish off its race. He said, given the manner in which LONDON CITY began tonight, he would have accepted Jockey Teetan taking the initiative and attempting to go forward on LONDON CITY, however, this would have been contrary to the instructions he had given prior to the race. I’M A WITNESS, EXCEPTIONAL DESIRE and SHARPMIND were sent for sampling.