04/05/2011  Happy Valley  Race 4

On arrival at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to RACING LEGEND was replaced. Just prior to the start being effected, GOLD WINNER became fractious and then as the gates opened lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was very slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, GOLD WINNER will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. From a wide barrier, HIGH RETURN was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, SPICY SHRIMP became unbalanced after being bumped by HIGH RETURN. After the 900 Metres, GOLD WINNER proved difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of CHATER POWER. Also after the 900 Metres, RACING LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that he had been instructed, from barrier 9, to ride OYSTER quietly. He said he had been riding the horse in its track work in the lead up to tonight’s race and in this work the horse had proved very difficult to settle. He said for this reason pacifiers were added to the gear carried by OYSTER and it was decided to race the horse over 1200 Metres in the hope that the tempo of the race would be good which would allow OYSTER to settle. He said OYSTER was very fractious in the barriers after the blind was removed. He added OYSTER began better than expected and whilst it was available to him to obtain a forward position on the horse in the early stages, having in mind the manner in which OYSTER had performed in its track work, he elected to take hold of the horse in accordance with his instructions in the hope that it would be able to settle at the rear of the field. He said when being steadied in the early stages, OYSTER proved very difficult to settle, however, he was able to shift the horse across behind the field making the first turn after the 1000 Metres. He said after this OYSTER over-raced badly and would not settle during the early and middle stages and after the 600 Metres was steadied away from the heels of MAKE IT. He said when being ridden out in the Straight, he was obliged to change course on OYSTER to shift to the outside of MOBILE STAR which shifted in. He said because of the manner in which OYSTER travelled in the early and middle stages, the horse was not able to finish off its race as well as had been expected. Mr C W Chang, the trainer of OYSTER, confirmed that he had instructed J Lloyd to ensure that OYSTER was settled as much as possible and did not over-race. He said OYSTER had proved very difficult to settle in its track work and he did not want the horse to be left racing without cover as he believed that it would not then be able to finish off the race. He said had OYSTER been drawn closer to the fence, it may have been able to take up a more forward position, however, from barrier 9 he felt that it was in the horse’s best interests to be switched off in the early stages to allow it to be able to close off the race. J Lloyd and Mr Chang were advised that their explanations would be reported. J Lloyd was further advised that whilst he had particular riding instructions, he should ensure that he rides his horse in accordance with the change in circumstances of the race. Mr Chang was further advised that wherever possible he should give instructions that allow some latitude in the manner in which horses are ridden, particularly to senior jockeys. The Stewards advised Mr Chang that they will note the manner in which OYSTER is ridden in the near future. A veterinary inspection of GOLD WINNER after the race did not show any significant findings. MANY GAINS and CHATER POWER were sent for sampling.