05/10/2008  Shatin  Race 8

At declaration time, K T Yeung was declared as the rider of both SCINTILLATION and ALWAYS GIGGLE. It was established that K T Yeung had a firm commitment to ride ALWAYS GIGGLE. As such, the Stewards permitted E Saint-Martin to be substituted as the rider of SCINTILLATION. Mr C S Shum, trainer of SCINTILLATION, was fined $2,000 for this error. Near the 700 Metres, FRIENDLY GAINS shifted in and became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by SUPERIOR UNIT. Approaching the 400 Metres, ALWAYS GIGGLE was steadied after racing in restricted room between SUPERIOR UNIT and ENTHUSED. Just prior to the winning post, SUPERIOR UNIT and NIGHTLIGN bumped. When questioned, K T Yeung said he had been instructed by Trainer A Lee to ensure ALWAYS GIGGLE did not get too far out of its ground in what was anticipated to be a solidly run race. He said for this reason he rode along aggressively in the early stages to ensure that ALWAYS GIGGLE raced in a midfield position. When questioned regarding his riding of SCINTILLATION, E Saint-Martin said he had been instructed to ride the horse which was drawn barrier 1 in the centre of the track. He said he was instructed to allow ABLE PRINCE which had drawn immediately to his outside to cross and then to commence shifting to the middle of the track. He said as instructed he allowed ABLE PRINCE to go forward of him before commencing to shift out approaching the 800 Metres. He added passing the 800 Metres he was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DIM SUM which was shifting in and he was therefore obliged to steady his mount to come to the outside of DIM SUM. He said SCINTILLATION hung in throughout the race as is usual and finished the race off only fairly. NORMAN INVADER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of NORMAN INVADER after the race did not show any significant findings. ENTHUSED and SUPERIOR UNIT were sent for sampling.