16/12/2020  Happy Valley  Race 8

On jumping, HARMONY N HOME and SEVEN HEAVENS were crowded for room between KA YING MASTER and HIGH RISE SOLDIER, both of which shifted ground. At the 1100 Metres, XPONENTIAL was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BABY which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to XPONENTIAL. At the 900 Metres, FALCON TURBO was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, SEVEN HEAVENS commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of HIGH RISE SOLDIER. Approaching the 200 Metres, XPONENTIAL was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FALCON TURBO which shifted in slightly. Passing the 150 Metres, PRINCE OF FROG, which was giving ground, was momentarily eased away from the heels of SCORES OF FUN (J Moreira) which shifted in when placed under pressure. J Moreira was reprimanded. Approaching the finishing line, A Badel, the rider of HARMONY N HOME, was required to stop riding and straighten his mount when it shifted in towards KA YING MASTER. When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau stated that he was instructed to endeavour to find cover on KA YING MASTER and this was expected to be behind midfield. He said however that KA YING MASTER began well and in order to comply with his instructions he had to restrain his mount quite heavily in the run to the first turn in an attempt to find cover. He said KA YING MASTER continued to travel strongly when racing very wide and without cover along the Back Straight and the horse eventually settled towards the rear of the field. He further stated that KA YING MASTER subsequently closed off the race satisfactorily given the difficult run that it endured. The Stewards interviewed Mr T P Yung, trainer of KA YING MASTER, who confirmed that he had instructed Apprentice Chau to ride the horse conservatively tonight. He said he felt that horses racing on the pace tonight had not been advantaged and that whilst KA YING MASTER had consistently been ridden in a forward position from favourable barriers, he was quite concerned that the horse would be left racing very wide and be forced to work hard from the outside barrier if ridden for speed. He added as KA YING MASTER also has a breathing issue, this was another consideration in arriving at the instructions to ride the horse from back in the field. Mr Yung was advised that his explanation would be noted, however, where appropriate circumstances exist, horses should be ridden in a consistent manner. A veterinary inspection of FALCON TURBO and PRINCE OF FROG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BABY and SCORES OF FUN were sent for sampling.