10/02/2018  Shatin  Race 9

PHANTOM FALCON began only fairly and then was inconvenienced when STRATHCLYDE shifted out. UGLY WARRIOR shifted in at the start and bumped SHANGHAI MASTER. WAYFOONG VINNIE was crowded for room shortly after the start between SHANGHAI MASTER and GIDDY GIDDY which shifted out. After the 800 Metres, SAUL’S SPECIAL and STRATHCLYDE raced tight. Making the turn approaching the 700 Metres, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT got its head on the side and lay out, resulting in SHANGHAI MASTER being taken out onto JOYFUL MOMENTS which became unbalanced and shifted out onto SMART DECLARATION which was bumped and taken wider before being steadied to obtain a trailing position. After this, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT continued to hang out, resulting in SHANGHAI MASTER racing in restricted room inside JOYFUL MOMENTS. Passing the 250 Metres, WINNING VANGOGH got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, SHANGHAI MASTER and JOYFUL MOMENTS travelled wide and without cover. For the majority of the race, GIDDY GIDDY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon stated that he was asked to ride PHANTOM FALCON, which was having its first start on the All Weather surface today, in a forward position. He said he was not given specific instructions to lead the race, however, if it was possible for the horse to lead the race comfortably, then he should ride PHANTOM FALCON accordingly. He said after beginning only fairly he rode his mount along for some distance in the early stages to obtain a forward position and it was not until approaching the 1000 Metres that he was able to establish the lead inside WINNING VANGOGH. He said he then steadied his mount to provide the horse with the opportunity to travel in the middle stages having in mind that he had already asked the horse for some effort in the early stages to overcome a poor start. He said after the 800 Metres he became aware that UGLY WARRIOR was being ridden along to obtain the lead, however, he was reluctant to ride his mount along at this stage to prevent UGLY WARRIOR from crossing PHANTOM FALCON as he had already made use of his horse in the early stages before steadying PHANTOM FALCON. He added he believed that again asking PHANTOM FALCON for another effort mid-race would be to the detriment of the horse. He said although the sectionals of the race at this time indicated that the race was not being run at a quick tempo, he did feel that at the time the race was being run strongly and he did not believe that it would be of benefit to PHANTOM FALCON if he rode his mount along at this time in an endeavour to prevent UGLY WARRIOR from crossing. Mr L Ho, the trainer of PHANTOM FALCON, confirmed that as the horse was racing on the All Weather surface for the first time today, he was uncertain as to whether the horse would have sufficient speed to lead the race, therefore he did not bind Apprentice Poon to any specific instructions to lead, rather he asked Apprentice Poon to obtain a forward positon and then it was at the judgement of Apprentice Poon as to whether he led the race or took a trailing position. He added having regard to the previous racing patterns of WINNING VANGOGH and UGLY WARRIOR over the course and distance, he felt that it was more likely that those horses may show more speed than PHANTOM FALCON and that PHANTOM FALCON may be required to take a trailing position behind those horses. He said having this in mind he was satisfied with Apprentice Poon’s handling of PHANTOM FALCON in today’s race. When questioned, Apprentice H T Mo stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on WINNING VANGOGH. He said at its most recent start WINNING VANGOGH had made the turn after the 700 Metres awkwardly, got its head on the side and lay out and he was therefore mindful of this when riding WINNING VANGOGH in the race. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode WINNING VANGOGH along in the early stages and was able to obtain a forward position outside the early leader of the race PHANTOM FALCON. He said when he became aware of UGLY WARRIOR improving its position around WINNING VANGOGH, he allowed that horse to cross WINNING VANGOGH as he did not want to ride his mount along and therefore have it make the first turn awkwardly. He said he felt that it was a better option for WINNING VANGOGH to be steadied and allow UGLY WARRIOR to cross rather than ride his mount along to maintain its position between UGLY WARRIOR and PHANTOM FALCON. Mr C S Shum, the trainer of WINNING VANGOGH, informed the Stewards that he had instructed Apprentice Mo to lead the race if possible, but if the tempo of the race was strong, it was acceptable for him to sit outside the leader of the race. He said he was disappointed in Apprentice Mo’s riding of WINNING VANGOGH in that, in his opinion, he should have made more of an attempt to remain racing in the lead rather than allowing UGLY WARRIOR to cross WINNING VANGOGH approaching the 700 Metres. Apprentice Mo was severely reprimanded regarding his riding of WINNING VANGOGH in the early and middle stages. He was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he did not make sufficient effort to comply with his instructions from Mr Shum to lead the race given the tempo of the race in the early and middle stages was not strong. Apprentice Mo was further advised that he must ride his mounts with sufficient judgement to ensure that he complies with his instructions wherever appropriate circumstances exist. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on WINNING VANGOGH at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING VANGOGH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of CHUNG WAH SPIRIT and GIDDY GIDDY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STRATHCLYDE, UGLY WARRIOR and WINNING VANGOGH were sent for sampling.