10/03/2010  Happy Valley  Race 4

HOME WITH GLORY began awkwardly and lost ground. GOLDEN BAUHINIA began awkwardly. Rounding the Home Turn, EL ZONDA was steadied when attempting a run between GOLDEN BAUHINIA and DIAMOND KNIGHT where there was insufficient room. In this incident, EL ZONDA bumped GOLDEN BAUHINIA, causing both horses to become unbalanced. For some distance after this, EL ZONDA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DIAMOND KNIGHT. Near the 200 Metres, AT MOMENT IN TIME was hampered when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TOWKAY FLYER (Apprentice M L Yeung) which shifted out. Apprentice Yeung was advised that whilst TOWKAY FLYER’s movement was relatively abrupt, he should at all times make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course. Over the concluding stages, HOME WITH GLORY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GO FAY FAY which shifted in. Because of this, HOME WITH GLORY was not tested over the final 50 Metres. Throughout the race, NATIVE KID travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of MINGS’ HERO, particularly in the Home Straight, C W Wong stated that he was instructed to ensure that the horse, which was dropping back in distance from 1600 Metres tonight, maintained its position with the field as much as he was able. He said at the start MINGS’ HERO was steadied away from the heels of GILDED FLIGHT which shifted out. He said he immediately commenced riding MINGS’ HERO along hands and heels, however, despite being ridden along MINGS’ HERO became detached from the field. He said he continued to ride MINGS’ HERO along vigorously including slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip near the 650 Metres in an endeavour to have it make up ground. He said he continued to push his mount along to have it travel closer to the field, however, MINGS’ HERO was out-paced and was not able to make up any appreciable ground. He said at the entrance to the Straight he balanced MINGS’ HERO up and continued to ride the horse out hands and heels. He said passing the 200 Metres he used the whip on the horse in the left hand, it shifted in, therefore he changed the whip over into his right hand whilst continuing to ride the horse along. He stated inside the 100 Metres he commenced using the whip in the right hand whilst MINGS’ HERO was making up ground and continued to ride the horse out to the end of the race. He said MINGS’ HERO finished off the race strongly in the Straight. Trainer C H Yip stated that he had instructed C W Wong to be as close as possible on MINGS’ HERO but was mindful that the horse was racing over 1000 Metres tonight at Happy Valley on the first occasion and that coming back in distance he felt that MINGS’ HERO would be out-paced in the early stages. He said after viewing the video, he was satisfied with the manner in which C W Wong had ridden MINGS’ HERO tonight. Mr Yip was advised that his evidence would be reported. C W Wong was advised that his riding of MINGS’ HERO in the Straight had come under notice and that he must at all times ride with sufficient vigour so as to leave no room for query and to ensure he obtains the best possible place on his mounts. A veterinary inspection of AT MOMENT IN TIME and NATIVE KID after the race did not show any significant findings. AT MOMENT IN TIME, EL ZONDA and PACKING POWER were sent for sampling.