17/03/2019  Shatin  Race 4

ROMANTIC CHEF was withdrawn on 16.3.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINNING CONTROLLER. Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC CHEF will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MANAGEMENT STAR was very slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, MANAGEMENT STAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. CIRCUIT THREE was slow to begin. DELIGHT EXPRESS began only fairly. SOCCER MASTER lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly. HEALTHY TREASURE began awkwardly. SPLENDOUR AND GOLD was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. For some distance in the early stages, DASHING DART got its head up when racing keenly. The Stewards opened and immediately adjourned an inquiry into the reason for DELIGHT EXPRESS stumbling badly approaching the 900 Metres which resulted in its rider, Apprentice C Wong, being dislodged. When Apprentice Wong was dislodged, SOCCER MASTER was unable to avoid that rider and was severely checked. CIRCUIT THREE was also checked and shifted out to avoid the incident whilst SPLENDOUR AND GOLD was inconvenienced. A veterinary inspection of DELIGHT EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SOCCER MASTER immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained slight abrasions to the right hind cannon and the left hind fetlock. Rounding the Home Turn, SPLENDOUR AND GOLD was taken wider by DASHING DART which shifted to the outside of FLASH FAMOUS. Throughout the race, CHAPARRAL STAR travelled wide and without cover. The performance of HEALTHY TREASURE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY TREASURE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards opened an inquiry into W M Lai’s riding of WINNING CONTROLLER, particularly from near the 1100 Metres. W M Lai stated that he was instructed to obtain a forward position on WINNING CONTROLLER as it was believed that there was not much pace in the race. He said he was instructed to lead if possible, however, if the rider of another horse was intent on leading, he should allow that horse to lead and obtain a position in 2nd or 3rd. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode WINNING CONTROLLER positively in the early stages, however, COOLCELEB showed more early speed than WINNING CONTROLLER and he followed that horse over and positioned himself to the outside of that horse after the 1000 Metres. He said from this point he raced about a half length behind COOLCELEB. He said after the 900 Metres he allowed WINNING CONTROLLER to improve its position to be racing on terms with COOLCELEB and when that horse came under pressure passing the 600 Metres, he then allowed WINNING CONTROLLER to improve its position further in advance of COOLCELEB. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of WINNING CONTROLLER, stated that he was unable to identify a natural leader in the race and he felt that there was an opportunity for WINNING CONTROLLER to be able to take up a forward position as the horse had previously raced well in these circumstances. He confirmed that he had instructed Jockey Lai to attempt to lead on WINNING CONTROLLER, however, if another horse showed more speed than WINNING CONTROLLER, he should take a sit off that horse. He said he felt that WINNING CONTROLLER would race well today as he anticipated that the horse would be able to take up a forward position in what he expected to be only a moderately run race. He said accordingly he advised the owner that he considered the horse to be a good chance of winning or placing in today’s race. Having regard to the fast sectionals between the 1200 Metres and the 400 Metres, the Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a time and date to be fixed to allow them to consider the evidence. R Bayliss (COOLCELEB) stated that in the early stages COOLCELEB was able to dictate the terms of the race and the race was being run at a reasonable tempo. He said however that when WINNING CONTROLLER improved its position to race on terms with COOLCELEB near the 900 Metres, the tempo of the race quickened appreciably as COOLCELEB travelled more keenly in the lead due to WINNING CONTROLLER improving its position. He said these circumstances resulted in the race being run at a very fast tempo in the middle stages. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY TREASURE and EMPIRE STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MARQULA immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg and have sustained cuts into the right and left hind cannons. Before being allowed to race again, MARQULA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPLENDOUR AND GOLD and DASHING DART were sent for sampling. <18/3/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SOCCER MASTER was found to have sustained slight abrasions to the right hind cannon and the left hind fetlock. SOCCER MASTER was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D E Ferraris this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SOCCER MASTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. <24/3/2019 Adjourned Inquiry – 17 March 2019 Sha Tin Racemeeting – Race 4 (500)>The Steward today concluded their inquiry into the reason for Apprentice C Wong being dislodged from DELIGHT EXPRESS approaching the 900 Metres. Evidence was today taken from Apprentice Wong and the videos of the incident were reviewed. Apprentice Wong agreed that he had failed to take sufficient measures to prevent DELIGHT EXPRESS racing close to the heels of MARQULA which resulted in DELIGHT EXPRESS clipping the heels of that horse approaching the 900 Metres. He said at this time MARQULA lost some ground which resulted in him being awkwardly placed behind that horse. He added however that he should have steadied his mount sufficiently in the lead up to this incident to ensure that he was not placed too close to the heels of the horse in front. Apprentice Wong was advised that he must leave adequate distance between his mount and the horses in front in similar circumstances to ensure that there is room to adapt to the changing circumstances of a race.