11/07/2021  Shatin  Race 7

EL VALIENTE began awkwardly. CROWN AVENUE and DRAGON COMMANDER bumped at the start. CROWN AVENUE was then momentarily crowded for room a short distance after the start between DRAGON COMMANDER and EZRA which shifted out. SWOOT TROOPERS WIND stumbled at the start, then shifted in and bumped GLORIOUS LOVER which also shifted out. TAILOR MADE, FLASH FAMOUS, MORE THAN A HORSE and SUPER ELEGANCE were all steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling about 50 Metres, DRAGON COMMANDER shifted in, resulting in CROWN AVENUE being taken in onto the hindquarters of EZRA which became unbalanced. When DRAGON COMMANDER was shifted out to relieve the crowding to CROWN AVENUE, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA was inconvenienced in consequence. A short distance after the start, EL VALIENTE got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of RED ELYSEES when being shifted in behind that horse to obtain a position closer to the rail. Near the 1650 Metres, MORE THAN A HORSE was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 650 Metres, TAILOR MADE raced in restricted room between MORE THAN A HORSE and EL VALIENTE which shifted out when racing close to the heels of DIVINE UNICORN. EL VALIENTE then got its head up when being checked away from the heels of DIVINE UNICORN after the 650 Metres and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse, resulting in TAILOR MADE being hampered when crowded for room inside MORE THAN A HORSE. After this, EL VALIENTE continued to race close to the heels of DIVINE UNICORN and after the 600 Metres was steadied away from the heels of that horse. KUNGFUMASTER PANDA, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Near the 75 Metres, EL VALIENTE was shifted to the outside of TAILOR MADE. When questioned regarding the performance of SWOT TROOPERS WIND, A Hamelin stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position and if no other horse was intent on leading, he should lead, however, if another horse pressed forward in the early stages, he should hand up to that horse rather than engage in a speed battle. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode SWOT TROOPERS WIND positively in the early stages and was able to obtain the lead after passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said after shifting across to race on the rail at the 1700 Metres, CROWN AVENUE improved its position to be racing directly outside of SWOT TROOPERS WIND near the 1600 Metres. He said as he was aware that the pace of the race was good and that he was of the opinion that CROWN AVENUE would continue into the lead, he steadied SWOT TROOPERS WIND to allow that horse to cross. He added after initially proving somewhat difficult to steady after the 1500 Metres, SWOT TROOPERS WIND travelled only fairly along the Back Straight before coming under pressure prior to the 500 Metres. He said SWOT TROOPERS WIND did not quicken when asked and after initially staying on one-paced in the early part of the Straight then gave ground over the latter stages and did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SWOT TROOPERS WIND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SWOT TROOPERS WIND, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SWOT TROOPERS WIND will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding of CROWN AVENUE, C Wong stated that he was instructed to lead. He said it was felt that apart from SWOT TROOPERS WIND, there were no other horses that were likely to contest the lead and it was believed that CROWN AVENUE would be able to show more speed than that horse in the early stages and would be able to dictate the race in the lead. He said after having to be pushed along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, CROWN AVENUE was able to improve its position to race outside SWOT TROOPERS WIND near the 1600 Metres. He said as he did not believe that SWOT TROOPERS WIND was being ridden to maintain its position inside CROWN AVENUE, he allowed CROWN AVENUE to improve its position after the 1500 Metres and clear SWOT TROOPERS WIND to take the lead after the 1400 Metres. He said when allowing CROWN AVENUE to improve its position forward of SWOT TROOPERS WIND, he was unaware that the race was being run at such a quick tempo as it was and that both CROWN AVENUE and SWOT TROOPERS WIND had established a margin over the remainder of the field. He added after shifting in to race on the rail, he elected to steady CROWN AVENUE, however, the horse travelled somewhat keenly. He said although he was aware that CROWN AVENUE was running a faster than standard sectional at this time, he remained unaware that the horse had established a considerable break over the majority of the field. C Wong was told that, given the tempo of the race in the early stages, he should have remained racing outside SWOT TROOPERS WIND rather than allowing his mount to improve forward of that horse and that after allowing CROWN AVENUE to obtain the lead after the 1400 Metres, he should have made far more effort than he did to steady the tempo so as to afford CROWN AVENUE the best opportunity to finish off the race. C Wong was advised that his riding of CROWN AVENUE had come close to a breach of a significant Rule of Racing. He was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, his riding of CROWN AVENUE in the early and middle stages lacked the level of race awareness expected of a senior rider in Hong Kong. Jockey Wong was severely reprimanded and told that a repeat of a ride similar to this in the future may result in disciplinary action being taken. After the race, C Schofield (SUPER ELEGANCE) stated that he had to ride his mount aggressively after the 700 Metres to improve his position. He said after becoming unbalanced near the 650 Metres when awkwardly placed outside TAILOR MADE, SUPER ELEGANCE struggled to make up ground when the race was continuing to be run at a fast tempo. He said after riding his mount aggressively rounding the Home Turn, SUPER ELEGANCE did not respond to his riding and after testing his mount in the early part of the Straight, he eased down on SUPER ELEGANCE after the 200 Metres when it was well beaten. A veterinary inspection of SUPER ELEGANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, K C Leung stated that KUNGFUMASTER PANDA lost its momentum near the 600 Metres when awkwardly placed behind EL VALIENTE. He said it was at this time that other runners were improving into the race and because of this KUNGFUMASTER PANDA was left flat-footed when he attempted to improve his position after the 600 Metres. He said after dropping his whip at the entrance to the Straight, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA, when ridden out hands and heels, did not respond to his riding and failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of KUNGFUMASTER PANDA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DRAGON COMMANDER and EZRA were sent for sampling.