08/03/2020  Shatin  Race 7

BRIGHT VISION shifted in at the start, resulting in COBY OPPA being taken in onto MR WEALTH which became unbalanced after being bumped by COBY OPPA. PATCH BABY stumbled at the start. MEGA HEART began awkwardly and then shifted out towards the heels of FLYING SWORD. FLYING GENIUS began awkwardly and became unbalanced shortly after the start. Near the 800 Metres, COBY OPPA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MR WEALTH which was steadied away from the heels of BRIGHT VISION (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. Apprentice Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. PATCH BABY made the turn near the 700 Metres awkwardly. Throughout the race, LE TERROIR travelled wide and without cover. K Teetan, the rider of WILL POWER, pleaded guilty to being in breach of Stewards’ Instruction 22(3) in that he improperly used his whip down the horse’s shoulder on a number of occasions. In assessing this matter, the Stewards took into consideration that Jockey Teetan had been fined on four occasions for riding in a similar manner. K Teetan’s licence to ride in races was suspended for the Happy Valley racemeeting to be conducted on Wednesday, 25 March 2020. Accordingly, he may resume race riding on Thursday, 26 March 2020. When questioned, G van Niekerk stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on DOLLAR REWARD from the outside barrier if the horse began well. He said it was anticipated that FLYING GENIUS, which was drawn immediately to the inside of DOLLAR REWARD, would be ridden to take up a forward position and therefore the opportunity may present itself for DOLLAR REWARD to shift over with that horse. He said he rode his mount along for some distance in the early stages to take up a prominent position, however, DOLLAR REWARD did not show as much early speed as had been hoped and did not show the same amount of early speed as JUST NOT LISTENING and FLYING GENIUS which were drawn immediately to its inside. He said therefore after the 1100 Metres he steadied DOLLAR REWARD to obtain cover as the horse was racing very wide. He said after initially travelling keenly approaching the 1000 Metres, he was able to shift DOLLAR REWARD across behind runners and obtain cover, however, DOLLAR REWARD got its head on the side and hung out making the turn after the 700 Metres. He said DOLLAR REWARD continued to hang out until entering the Straight at which stage he placed the horse under pressure. He said DOLLAR REWARD did not quicken and therefore he continued to ride the horse out hands and heels before riding it more aggressively passing the 150 Metres. He added, despite being ridden out, DOLLAR REWARD finished off the race only fairly. G van Niekerk was told that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had made a reasonable effort to obtain a forward position and that DOLLAR REWARD had hung out making the turns, nonetheless he must ensure that he places his mounts under sufficient vigour in the Straight so that his riding is not open to query. A veterinary inspection of DOLLAR REWARD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. After the race, J Moreira (MEGA HEART) stated that rounding the Home Turn he commenced to ride his mount along and MEGA HEART initially improved satisfactorily. He said near the 300 Metres MEGA HEART was checked when held up for clear running behind BRIGHT VISION and MR WEALTH which gave ground abruptly. He said MEGA HEART consequently lost momentum and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MEGA HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MR WEALTH immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of COBY OPPA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WILL POWER and FLYING GENIUS were sent for sampling. <9/3/2020 Additional Veterinary Report>MR WEALTH, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time the horse had bled from both nostrils. MR WEALTH was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K L Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, MR WEALTH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.