21/10/2007  Shatin  Race 1

TATTENHALL DELIGHT, which had been fractious after being boxed, began awkwardly, blundered and lost a considerable amount of ground. STEEL NERVES began awkwardly, bumped the inside gate of its stall and then from a wide barrier was taken across behind other runners. From a wide barrier, KING OF SPADES was taken back in the early stages. Making the first turn, FIRST KNIGHT was steadied when awkwardly placed inside CHINA SPORTFIELD. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GALLANT KNIGHT became unbalanced when buffeted between NAMJONG GOODLUCK and JOY TRUMPS which at this time shifted in slightly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOUND OF SILENCE (D Whyte) which shifted in when not quite clear. D Whyte was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. At the 1100 Metres, GALLANT KNIGHT was steadied away from the heels of DASH. When the pace steadied after the 1000 Metres, a number of runners were inconvenienced, the worst sufferers being TATTENHALL DELIGHT, THREE CLUBS and CHINA SPORTFIELD. On straightening, THREE CLUBS was steadied and shifted out abruptly away from the heels of CHINA SPORTFIELD and FIRST KNIGHT. At the 250 Metres, FIRST KNIGHT was bumped by CHINA SPORTFIELD which shifted out to obtain clear running. On two occasions after the 150 Metres, FIRST KNIGHT jumped marks on the track. At the 50 Metres, TATTENHALL DELIGHT was checked when disappointed for running between SOUND OF SILENCE and NAMJONG GOODLUCK. After this, TATTENHALL DELIGHT had difficulty obtaining clear running. For the majority of the Home Straight, HAPPY HEROES had difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not fully tested. D Beadman (THREE CLUBS) said he had been explicitly instructed by the owners of the horse through Mr J Moore, trainer, that he was to ride THREE CLUBS away from the rail and ensure the horse had clear running down the outside in the Home Straight. He said THREE CLUBS began fairly, after passing the winning post on the first occasion there was an opportunity for him to shift to the rail, however, he did not do so because of his riding instructions. He said he maintained a position one off the fence inside CHINA SPORTFIELD making the first turn, however, when that horse endeavoured to shift in, he steadied and allowed it to go forward of him to avoid being carried to the rail. He said when this occurred STEEL NERVES improved on his inside and he maintained a position one off the fence behind CHINA SPORTFIELD. He said after the 1000 Metres when the pace of the race steadied, THREE CLUBS was disadvantaged and at that time CHINA SPORTFIELD did not maintain its position in the field and as a consequence THREE CLUBS was carried back to a rearward position. He said in the early part of the Straight THREE CLUBS responded strongly to his riding, however, because of the manner in which the race was run was left with too much work to do in the Home Straight. Mr J Moore, trainer of THREE CLUBS, confirmed the riding instructions issued to D Beadman and also that these instructions were as a result of a discussion with Owner Choi Chi Leung, part-owner of THREE CLUBS, which had been held at the stable yesterday afternoon. Mr Moore said THREE CLUBS’ best performances were when racing in a rearward position and being brought wider on the track to ensure it had clear running. When questioned, Mr Choi confirmed it was his wish for THREE CLUBS to be ridden away from the rail to ensure it was able to make its run wider on the track in the Home Straight. He said in his opinion the horse’s best performances had been when being able to make its run wider on the track. He said he was concerned if THREE CLUBS were to race on the rail, the horse might not be able to obtain clear running in the Straight which would be to its detriment. He added when D Beadman rode RICE FIELD, a horse which is owned in the same interest as THREE CLUBS, at the Sha Tin racemeeting last Sunday, he was disappointed with the manner in which the horse closed the race off after racing amongst runners. He said he was keen to ensure that the same set of circumstances did not occur today with THREE CLUBS. Mr Choi tendered evidence of considerable betting support for THREE CLUBS in today’s race. Both Mr Moore and Mr Choi expressed satisfaction in the manner in which D Beadman had ridden THREE CLUBS. Mr Choi, Mr Moore and D Beadman were told their explanations would be reported. M Nunes (JOY TRUMPS) said he had previously been successful on the horse when riding it in a rearward position. He said today the connections of JOY TRUMPS said to him to ride the horse how he believed would be suited because there was some concern the pace of the race would be slow. He said because of this in the early stages he rode JOY TRUMPS to go forward, however, GALLANT KNIGHT and STEEL NERVES held their positions to his inside and as a consequence JOY TRUMPS travelled wide and without cover in front of midfield. He said in the Straight JOY TRUMPS gave ground. JOY TRUMPS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of JOY TRUMPS after the race did not show any significant findings. NAMJONG GOODLUCK and DASH were sent for sampling.