06/06/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

RICHCITY FORTUNE began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in its rider having to correct the horse. This resulted in RICHCITY FORTUNE losing ground and racing back in the field. CARRY TO WIN and PEACE ON EARTH bumped at the start. Passing the 1100 Metres, K Teetan (NOBLE DE BOY) adjusted his right foot in the stirrup. Approaching the 1000 Metres, PEACE ON EARTH was awkwardly placed outside THE CHAMP which shifted out. Passing the 1000 Metres, OUR HONOUR was checked when crowded for room between WINNING BOY which shifted out marginally when corrected by its rider to prevent causing interference to PEACE ON EARTH and CATCHMEIFYOUCAN which got its head on the side and shifted in away from FANTASTIC FABIO which at this time was shifting in. The Stewards were satisfied on the evidence that FANTASTIC FABIO had not dictated CATCHMEIFYOUCAN in, rather CATCHMEIFYOUCAN, which was racing to the inside of FANTASTIC FABIO, shifted in away from that horse and therefore despite the interference to OUR HONOUR being significant, they were unable to attribute any rider error to this incident and accordingly no further action was taken. Passing the 600 Metres, YOUNG DREAMER brushed the running rail and became unbalanced. CARRY TO WIN, which was following, was hampered in consequence. For some distance after the 200 Metres, LETSGOFREE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CARRY TO WIN when endeavouring to improve into tight running between that horse and YOUNG DREAMER. Then over the concluding stages, LETSGOFREE and CARRY TO WIN raced tight. Passing the 150 Metres, NOBLE DE BOY momentarily raced in restricted room inside YOUNG DREAMER. Throughout the race, CATCHMEIFYOUCAN travelled wide and without cover. The performance of OUR HONOUR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OUR HONOUR 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 OUR HONOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. When questioned, Apprentice C Wong stated that he was instructed to lead on YOUNG DREAMER if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount vigorously for a considerable distance in the early stages to maintain a forward position from the horse’s inside barrier. He said he continued to ride YOUNG DREAMER along after the 1000 Metres and when it appeared as though both WINNING BOY and FANTASTIC FABIO were improving their positions forward of YOUNG DREAMER, he again rode his mount along passing the 900 Metres in an endeavour to prevent those horses from crossing. He said at this time FANTASTIC FABIO was able to establish a margin over YOUNG DREAMER while wide on the track and given that he had had to ride YOUNG DREAMER along for a considerable distance to that point of the race, he was reluctant to keep pressing YOUNG DREAMER to prevent FANTASTIC FABIO from crossing as he felt that this would result in the horse not being able to finish off the race. Having viewed the videos, Apprentice Wong agreed that in retrospect he should have made more of an effort to hold his position inside FANTASTIC FABIO given the tempo of the race, however, during the race itself he felt as though the tempo of the race was quicker than the times indicated. Apprentice Wong was informed that, in the opinion of the Stewards also, he should have made a greater effort than he did to maintain his position to the inside of FANTASTIC FABIO and that he should, wherever circumstances permit, ride his mounts in such a manner so as to fulfil the instructions of the horses’ connections. A veterinary inspection of RICHCITY FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LETSGOFREE, FANTASTIC FABIO and CARRY TO WIN were sent for sampling.