28/03/2012  Happy Valley  Race 1

On entering the track, PASSIONATE took charge of its rider, M L Yeung and made heavy contact with the running rail, resulting in M L Yeung being dislodged. After galloping a short distance riderless, PASSIONATE was recaptured and was examined by the Veterinary Officer. Acting on veterinary advice that PASSIONATE had sustained a bleeding wound to the right front cannon, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the horse. Before being allowed to race again, PASSIONATE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of official barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. M L Yeung was examined by the Club’s medical officers and passed fit to fulfil his remaining riding engagements. After being loaded, MARVEL PLUS became fractious. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on MARVEL PLUS at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, MARVEL PLUS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DASHING ACE was slow to begin. MARVEL PLUS and METRO RIDER were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, MEGABUCKS and BINGO BINGO bumped. Passing the 800 Metres, BINGO BINGO shifted in away from the heels of DR BULLION and in doing so made contact with MEGABUCKS. For some distance after the 600 Metres, MEGABUCKS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DR BULLION. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, FAIRY DRAGON and BINGO BINGO, both of which were racing wide, bumped as a result of FAIRY DRAGON getting its head on the side and shifting in slightly. MEGABUCKS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DR BULLION for some distance after this and in the early part of the Straight had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 250 Metres. Near the 500 Metres, HEY HA MASTER lost ground after having to be checked away from the heels of MAGIC FIGHTER. Also near the 500 Metres, DASHING ACE shifted out after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of INVINCIBLE HEART. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng advised that he had been instructed to be positive on THINK BIG in the early stages, obtain the lead and if possible race on the fence. He said THINK BIG began well but took some time to muster speed and he had to ride the horse aggressively including using the whip to have it respond so as to clear DR BULLION to its inside. He said passing the 600 Metres THINK BIG was able to clear DR BULLION on its inside and he intended to shift across to race on the fence. He said he was mindful of the amount of work that he had to make of THINK BIG in the early stages and for this reason as soon as he cleared DR BULLION he immediately attempted to steady THINK BIG so that the horse would be able to finish off its race. He added when he did this THINK BIG came back underneath him quicker than he had anticipated, but irrespective of this he still felt that he would be able to shift in to race on the fence as instructed. He said however that due to the manner in which he reduced the pace on THINK BIG, INVINCIBLE HEART was able to improve its position to be racing inside THINK BIG prior to him being able to assume the position on the fence. He said after INVINCIBLE HEART was able to secure its position to the inside of THINK BIG, this resulted in THINK BIG racing in a position one horse off the fence. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of THINK BIG and the allocated trainer of Apprentice Ng, confirmed the instructions and that he had asked Apprentice Ng to obtain the fence if possible. He said after reviewing the videos, he was of the opinion that Apprentice Ng should have shifted THINK BIG across to race on the fence prior to attempting to reduce the tempo of the race and it was his inexperience in attempting to reduce the tempo of the race prior to shifting to the fence which had allowed INVINCIBLE HEART to improve its position to be racing to the inside of THINK BIG. For reducing the pace near the 550 Metres, resulting in DR BULLION having to be steadied away from the heels of THINK BIG and shifted out, Apprentice Ng was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he does not steady the tempo of his mounts too abruptly. Apprentice Ng was further advised that he had erred in not shifting THINK BIG to race on the fence when it was available for him to do so prior to steadying his mount which resulted in INVINCIBLE HEART being able to improve its position to his inside. Apprentice Ng was severely reprimanded and advised that although he is a 10 lb claiming apprentice, as a person issued with a licence to ride in Hong Kong, it is expected that, irrespective of experience, he must ride to a certain standard and that his riding at this point of the race on this occasion fell short of what is expected. A veterinary inspection of HEY HA MASTER and FAIRY DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. MEGABUCKS, INVINCIBLE HEART and MARVEL PLUS were sent for sampling.