26/10/2008  Shatin  Race 11

FERRO BEAU was withdrawn on 23.10.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter STAR OF FAME (C K Tong). Before being allowed to race again, FERRO BEAU will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY MASTER was slow to begin. As the gates opened, POWER DRIFTER became fractious and put its head down. In the early stages, PLAN B proved very difficult to settle. Also in the early stages, STAR OF FAME was taken back. The Stewards will interview C K Tong, the rider of STAR OF FAME, regarding the riding tactics adopted on the horse prior to Race 1 at Sha Tin next Wednesday. At the 1200 Metres, REDRAGTOABULL, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ENCHANTED. After the 1200 Metres, CHINA WIN was left racing wide and without cover. Making the Home Turn, WALKONTHEWILDSIDE was carried wider by STAR OF FAME. In the Straight, SPECIAL DAYS hung out and after the 50 Metres bumped GOOD GAINS. When questioned, C W Wong (THUNDER FLASH) said he had been instructed to ride the horse in 4th or 5th position with cover if possible. He said after being boxed THUNDER FLASH became fractious, got its head up and turned to the right. He said THUNDER FLASH continued to be restless in its stall as the start was effected. He said because of THUNDER FLASH’s behaviour in the barrier, he had taken hold of his mount to prevent it from getting its head up again and as a consequence when the start was effected he came out on the mouth of THUNDER FLASH and as a consequence lost a considerable amount of ground. He said after this he shifted THUNDER FLASH across to race on the fence near the rear. He said in the Straight THUNDER FLASH kept on one-paced. Mr D J Hall, trainer of THUNDER FLASH, confirmed the riding instructions and said the horse’s best form is when racing over distances of shorter than the 1400 Metres of today’s race. He said because of this he felt it was important for THUNDER FLASH to have cover if possible to assist the horse in running out the 1400 Metres. Mr Hall did say he was surprised to see THUNDER FLASH travelling towards the rear. C W Wong was severely reprimanded and told this was not the first occasion on which the Stewards had spoken to him regarding coming out of the barriers on horses’ mouths. He was also told he must do his utmost to ensure to prevent this from happening where circumstances permit in the future. Y T Cheng (INTERCHINA STAR) said prior to the race he was instructed by an owner of the horse, Mr James S K Chou, to ride it in a rearward position due to it having drawn barrier 14. He said in accordance with those instructions on jumping he took hold of INTERCHINA STAR, the horse got its head up, he then shifted across behind runners to race on the fence at the rear. He said when the tempo of the race quickened, INTERCHINA STAR was initially left flat-footed, however, over the final 200 Metres made ground. Mr A Lee, trainer of INTERCHINA STAR, confirmed that in the Parade Ring prior to the race discussions had been held between himself, Y T Cheng and Mr Chou. He said Mr Chou was disappointed that INTERCHINA STAR had been beaten at its most recent start when travelling outside the leader in a slowly run race. He added Mr Chou was concerned in the latter part of today’s programme leading horses had not been successful. Mr Lee said because of this Mr Chou was insistent that INTERCHINA STAR be ridden in a rearward position to enable the horse to close the race off. Z Purton (ENCHANTED) will be interviewed regarding his riding in the early stages of the race prior to Race 1 at Sha Tin next Wednesday. WALKONTHEWILDSIDE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WALKONTHEWILDSIDE after the race did not show any significant findings. REDRAGTOABULL and SPECIAL DAYS were sent for sampling.