01/10/2008  Shatin  Race 5

GOLD GEM was not able to be ridden to the Start and during the preliminary D Beadman, the horse's rider, dismounted. GOLD GEM was hand walked to the Start unmounted. Mr J Moore, the trainer of GOLD GEM, was told the horse is developing a history of this behaviour and should the horse perform similarly prior to a race in the future, consideration will be given to ordering its withdrawal from the race and following that consideration will be given to the horse's racing future. Mr Moore was also told a warning would be recorded against GOLD GEM. CHEERFUL HAPPINESS was a little slow to begin and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between NOBLE TWINS which shifted out and LUCKY TYCOON which was carried in by SOUND OF SILENCE (Apprentice K L Chui). Apprentice Chui was advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to make a greater effort to protect his fellow riders. After the 1300 Metres, DAYLIGHT EXPRESS was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY TYCOON which itself was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of SOUND OF SILENCE which shifted in momentarily. Apprentice Chui was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. In the early stages, GOLD GEM proved difficult to settle when racing without cover. At the 1000 Metres, FANTASTIC TIME was steadied away from the heels of GOLD GEM. At the 500 Metres, PLEASURE PLEASURE jumped a mark on the track. From on straightening until the 300 Metres, FANTASTIC TIME and DAYLIGHT EXPRESS were held up and unable to obtain clear running. Near the 200 Metres, when initially tightened for room between FANTASTIC TIME and SOUND OF SILENCE which was carried in slightly by NAMJONG SKY (B Prebble), GOLD GEM turned its head to the right and attempted to savage FANTASTIC TIME. Shortly after this, GOLD GEM was then checked when the tightening continued as a result of SOUND OF SILENCE being carried in further by NAMJONG SKY. B Prebble was severely reprimanded and told to exercise more care. A further warning was placed on GOLD GEM regarding it attempting to savage another runner. When questioned, Apprentice K L Chui, second placegetter, explained after passing the 100 Metres he looked to his outside and felt that he was comfortably holding down second placing, he therefore approaching the 50 Metres ceased riding his mount out as the leader was well in front of him. He said after four strides he became aware that FANTASTIC TIME was making ground to his inside and he therefore resumed riding his mount out to the end of the race. The Stewards were satisfied Apprentice Chui's riding of SOUND OF SILENCE did not affect the horse's placing in the race, however, he nonetheless was severely reprimanded and told he must at all times ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race and that as a professional rider he is expected to be far more aware of the circumstances of the race happening around him than he was on this occasion. He was further reminded of the significant penalties attached to a breach of the Rules in these circumstances. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MULTI-WIN SPIRIT, F Coetzee said from a wide draw the intention had been to ride the horse in a position around midfield with cover if possible. He said MULTI-WIN SPIRIT began well, a number of runners on his inside maintained their positions and he therefore after the 1200 Metres allowed MULTI-WIN SPIRIT to travel forward to avoid racing wide and without cover. He said MULTI-WIN SPIRIT was still in a three wide position without cover approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, he therefore allowed the horse to continue forward and cross to race outside the leader. He said MULTI-WIN SPIRIT commenced to give ground after the 400 Metres and was disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off. He said in his opinion the performance of MULTI-WIN SPIRIT was due to the circumstances of the race requiring him to ride the horse in a leading position. He said MULTI-WIN SPIRIT's best performances have been when it is ridden in midfield preferably with cover. E Saint-Martin (LUCKY TYCOON) explained in the Straight he travelled on the rail and at no stage was able to obtain clear running. He said because of this LUCKY TYCOON was not tested in the race. He said after the 400 Metres AIPODER IMAGE commenced to give ground, as a consequence he was not able to shift away from the rail, however, when he was clear of that runner, MULTI-WIN SPIRIT was giving ground which again prevented him from moving away from the rail. E Saint-Martin was told to ensure where possible he does his utmost to provide his mounts with clear running. DAYLIGHT EXPRESS and GOLD GEM were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of DAYLIGHT EXPRESS after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, GOLD GEM was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GOLD GEM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NAMJONG SKY and SOUND OF SILENCE were sent for sampling.