01/01/2011  Shatin  Race 2

FORTUNE BUNNY, which was difficult to load into the barriers, will be required to satisfactorily undergo a stalls test before being permitted to race again. After being loaded, VIVA FREEDOM became fractious. Whilst attempts were being made to remove VIVA FREEDOM from the barriers to undergo a veterinary examination, KINGSTON ELITE also became fractious and momentarily got its right hind leg up on the platform. Both VIVA FREEDOM and KINGSTON ELITE were removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion they were suitable to race. Prior to being permitted to race again, VIVA FREEDOM will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. CHINA GOOD began only fairly and for some distance after the start raced in restricted room between FORTUNE BUNNY and KINGSTON ELITE. MIGHTY FEELING began awkwardly, got its head up and shifted out, resulting in SMART KIDS being crowded for room inside VIVA FREEDOM. SUPER HORSE was checked at the start when crowded for room between FORTUNE BUNNY and SOLDIER, both of which shifted ground. JUST GOOD was slow to begin. D Beadman (SMART GIANT) reported that about 100 Metres after the start, he noticed that his left stirrup iron had slipped in the stirrup leather. He said that making the first turn the pin in the buckle of the stirrup leather became detached which resulted in him losing the use of his left side stirrup iron for the remainder of the race. He added that because of this, he was severely disadvantaged and unable to ride the horse out for the remainder of the race. He further stated that as a result of losing the use of his left side stirrup iron, he was not able to adequately control the horse. As a consequence, SMART GIANT shifted out rounding the Home Turn, resulting in CARE FREE MIDAS, KINGSTON ELITE and RAY’S FAVOURITE all being hampered and taken wider. After the race, the equipment used by Jockey Beadman during this race was inspected and was found to be in a suitable condition. Near the 250 Metres, SMART KIDS got its head on the side and shifted out. Close to the finishing line, SUPER HORSE was steadied away from the heels of VIVA FREEDOM which shifted in. Throughout the race, KINGSTON ELITE and RAY’S FAVOURITE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, B Doyle stated that due to CHINA GOOD stepping up in distance to 1400 Metres, it was decided to ride the horse in a midfield position if circumstances permitted to ensure that it would be able to finish off the race. When questioned regarding his riding of VIVA FREEDOM, particularly in the Home Straight, H W Lai stated that he was not under any specific instructions on where to position VIVA FREEDOM, which was having its first race start today, other than he had been told to allow it to settle in the early stages. He said VIVA FREEDOM became very fractious in the barriers which resulted in the horse having to be removed and inspected by the Veterinary Officer before being placed back in the barriers. He said in the early stages he rode VIVA FREEDOM along to obtain a position and he was able to follow SOLDIER. He said making the first turn VIVA FREEDOM commenced to over-race, proved difficult to settle and shifted out across the heels of CHINA GOOD which resulted in VIVA FREEDOM losing ground and no longer being able to race on the back of SOLDIER. He said after obtaining the position behind CHINA GOOD, he shifted VIVA FREEDOM out near the 600 Metres to improve his position behind RAY’S FAVOURITE. He said rounding the Home Turn he had to severely check VIVA FREEDOM away from the heels of RAY’S FAVOURITE which struck interference and because of this VIVA FREEDOM became unbalanced in its action. He said he rode VIVA FREEDOM hands and heels in the early part of the Straight and near the 300 Metres pulled the whip through to his right hand as VIVA FREEDOM remained awkward in its action. He said passing the 300 Metres he struck VIVA FREEDOM with the whip in the right hand, however, the horse got its head on the side and lay out. He said he rode the horse along hands and heels until near the 150 Metres at which time he commenced to use the whip on the horse in a backhanded manner. He added close to the finishing line whilst there was a run immediately ahead of VIVA FREEDOM, he felt that MIGHTY FEELING, which was to his inside, was shifting out slightly, therefore he allowed VIVA FREEDOM to shift to the inside of the heels of that horse. Trainer L Ho confirmed that the primary instructions he gave to Jockey Lai were to ensure that the horse was settled in the early stages. He said he did not want the horse to be ridden along and forced to take up a position. He said after viewing the videos, having in mind that VIVA FREEDOM had struck interference on a number of occasions, particularly rounding the Home Turn, he was satisfied with Jockey Lai’s riding of that horse in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of VIVA FREEDOM after the race revealed the horse to be displaying dynamic pharyngeal collapse. H W Lai was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that VIVA FREEDOM, which was having its first race start, had raced greenly in the early and middle stages of the race and then had been severely checked rounding the Home Turn, nonetheless his riding of the horse in the Straight had come under notice. The Stewards advised Jockey Lai that he has an obligation to ride his mounts out with sufficient vigour and purpose so as to leave no room for query. SMART GIANT, SOLDIER and WIN A DOZEN were sent for sampling.