26/11/2017  Shatin  Race 3

BIG TIME BABY and THE JUDGE began only fairly. IRON BOY was crowded for room on jumping between DASHING GAINER and SUPER MAN which shifted out. From a wide barrier, RACING MATE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. RACING MATE subsequently travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race and then in the Straight gave ground. Soon after the winning post, K C Leung dismounted from RACING MATE. A veterinary inspection of RACING MATE immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. Making the first turn near the 750 Metres, HIGH FIVE and IRON BOY were crowded for room inside SUPER MAN which shifted in after being bumped by KING MORTAR (T Berry). T Berry was severely reprimanded. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon (JOYFUL MOMENTS) stated that in the early part of the Straight his mount lay in under pressure and for this reason he stopped riding and corrected JOYFUL MOMENTS after the 200 Metres. He said after correcting the horse, he continued to test JOYFUL MOMENTS, however, the horse continued to lay in under pressure and shifted in over the concluding stages, resulting in the horse being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER MAN. He said because of this he was not able to ride JOYFUL MOMENTS out over the concluding stages. When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo (SUNNY WIN) stated that it was intended for the horse to race behind the speed. He said he rode SUNNY WIN aggressively in the early stages, however, the horse did not show any early speed and got much further out of its ground than had been anticipated. He said when required to race back in the field, SUNNY WIN appeared to resent the kickback and did not travel at any stage of the race. He added he was always required to ride the horse along to make up lost ground, however, at no stage of the race did SUNNY WIN respond to his riding and finished at the tail of the field. Trainer L Ho was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of SUNNY WIN. He said the horse had done very well in the lead up to the race and he expected it to perform well. Mr Ho confirmed that he asked for the horse to be ridden behind the leaders if possible, but SUNNY WIN clearly did not show sufficient speed to be able to take advantage of its inside barrier. He said having regard to the fact that SUNNY WIN had been successful in a number of its races when drawn wide barriers, he is of the belief that the horse may be more suited by outside draws rather than inside barriers as this gives the horse the opportunity not to be crossed in the early stages and rather is able to work its way forward. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY WIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SUNNY WIN, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY WIN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of KING MORTAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY WIN, BIG TIME BABY and SUPER MAN were sent for sampling.