12/01/2013  Shatin  Race 8

Y T Cheng (REGENCY KING) was fined $2,000 for failing to initially weigh out with a girth. Shortly after the start, HAPPY CHA CHA was crowded for room between CHAMPAGNE DAYS and EURO SWIFTLY which shifted in. From the outside barrier, PLENTIFUL was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1400 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS commenced to over-race and shifted out away from the heels of AMAZINGLY, resulting in PRETTY BLUEBERRY being taken wider. When PERFECT CHEERS shifted out, JOLLY GOOD improved its position to be racing to the inside of that horse, resulting in PRETTY BLUEBERRY being left racing wide and without cover. After the 1200 Metres, PRETTY BLUEBERRY was then allowed to stride forward to obtain a position closer to the rail. Near the 600 Metres, HAPPY TUMBLER was checked away from the heels of GREAT RENOWN. Also near the 600 Metres, JOLLY GOOD was crowded for room between PERFECT CHEERS and HAPPY CHA CHA which shifted out away from the heels of NEW GREENFIELD. Then passing the 500 Metres, JOLLY GOOD was again crowded for room outside HAPPY CHA CHA (T Queally) which shifted to the outside of AMAZINGLY which was commencing to give ground. T Queally was advised to exercise more care in future. In this incident, HAPPY TUMBLER, which was following JOLLY GOOD, was hampered in consequence. After the 400 Metres, PLENTIFUL was checked away from the heels of AMAZINGLY which shifted out when continuing to give ground. The performance of AMAZINGLY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, AMAZINGLY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. In the early part of the Straight, both HAPPY CHA CHA and EURO SWIFTLY had difficulty obtaining clear running. When questioned, W C Marwing stated that he had been instructed to ride CHAMPAGNE DAYS from its good draw where it was comfortable and it was felt that CHAMPAGNE DAYS would be able to obtain a position in advance of midfield. He said CHAMPAGNE DAYS began well, however, JOLLY GOOD, which was racing one off the rail, was aggressively ridden in the early stages and he felt that he would have had to ride CHAMPAGNE DAYS along in the early stages in order to clear that horse to his inside, therefore he elected to steady CHAMPAGNE DAYS and obtain a position with cover behind JOLLY GOOD. He said after he did this, JOLLY GOOD was steadied by its rider and this resulted in CHAMPAGNE DAYS racing further back in the field than had been intended. He added when racing in this position, CHAMPAGNE DAYS, which had the hood removed for today’s race, would not settle as it had done in its previous races. When questioned, D Whyte stated that from barrier 13, he had been asked to ride CLASSIC JEWELLERY, which was having its first start on the All Weather surface today, in a position behind midfield. He said it was anticipated that the race would be run at a good tempo in the early stages which would allow CLASSIC JEWELLERY to overcome its wide barrier and obtain a position with cover. He said whilst CLASSIC JEWELLERY was obliged to race in a three wide position, the horse was able to race with cover behind PERFECT CHEERS until after the 800 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of PLENTIFUL in the Straight, T Angland stated that after being badly hampered rounding the Home Turn behind AMAZINGLY when that horse gave ground, he shifted PLENTIFUL out in the Straight to obtain clear running. He said he rode the horse hands and heels, however, it finished off the race only fairly. T Angland was reprimanded and advised that his lack of vigour on PLENTIFUL in the Straight had come under notice. He was further advised that he has an obligation under the Rules to ensure that he rides his mounts out at least hands and heels with sufficient vigour irrespective of the circumstances of the race. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY TUMBLER after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had lost its left front plate. A veterinary inspection of JOLLY GOOD and PRETTY BLUEBERRY after the race did not show any significant findings. CHAMPAGNE DAYS, RACING HERO and PERFECT CHEERS were sent for sampling. <14/1/2013 Additional Veterinary Report> The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that HAPPY CHA CHA was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY CHA CHA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.