20/12/2008  Shatin  Race 9

As the start was effected, SPECIAL DAYS lifted its front feet off the ground and began awkwardly. FEARLESS shifted in at the start and bumped HAIL THE STORM. Near the 1800 Metres, WIN PRACTITIONER and BEST FRIEND made contact on a number of occasions, resulting in WIN PRACTITIONER becoming unbalanced. Near the 1200 Metres, SLEEP WELL was steadied away from the heels of HAIL THE STORM which shifted in when barely clear. Passing the 1200 Metres, WIN PRACTITIONER got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Passing the 800 Metres, WIN PRACTITIONER again got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ROYAL PEGASUS which itself got its head up and proved difficult to settle. Near the 500 Metres, BROM BROM blundered when endeavouring to obtain a run between FEARLESS and WIN PRACTITIONER where there was insufficient room. Making the Home Turn, WIN PRACTITIONER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROYAL PEGASUS. At the 200 Metres, HAIL THE STORM shifted out and bumped BEST FRIEND. For the majority of the race, GEM OF CHIU TON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of FLYING TAMARI, Apprentice M L Yeung said he was instructed to ride the horse where it was comfortable. He said FLYING TAMARI began very well and he considered allowing the horse to stride forward as in his opinion the pace in the early stages was not fast. He said however he elected to steady FLYING TAMARI in an endeavour to shift in and obtain cover as he was aware FLYING TAMARI had been ridden without cover in its recent races. He said however after taking FLYING TAMARI back to a midfield position, it was left racing wide and without cover outside FEARLESS, he then elected to further steady his mount approaching the 1000 Metres in an endeavour to shift in behind that horse to obtain cover. He said rounding the turn at the 800 Metres he was able to shift in to a position behind FEARLESS, however, this placed him at the rear of the field. Apprentice Yeung was told whilst he is a 10 lb claiming apprentice jockey, his ride on FLYING TAMARI was not a good one and after FLYING TAMARI began well and having in mind the tempo of the race he should have allowed the horse to stride forward in the early stages. BEST FRIEND and SPECIAL DAYS were sent for sampling. After dismounting SLEEP WELL following the running of this race, K T Yeung was kicked by that horse on the right thigh. K T Yeung was examined by the Club's doctor who said in his opinion K T Yeung was not fit to fulfil his remaining riding engagement.