21/04/2012  Shatin  Race 2

DARS AUTO was withdrawn on 19.4.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left fore tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY DRUMMING. Before being allowed to race again, DARS AUTO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards today interviewed Mr T K Ng, the trainer of GOLDMEN Y Y, as to the circumstances of that horse being treated with a topical application on the afternoon of Friday, 20 April 2012. As this application contains a prohibited substance, GOLDMEN Y Y was withdrawn by order of the Stewards on 20 April 2012 from today’s race. Evidence was also taken from Mr W K Ip, assistant trainer allocated to Mr Ng’s stable for the current season. It was ascertained that due to a clerical oversight, GOLDMEN Y Y was inadvertently treated with the application and that an internal check of the records on 20 April 2012 revealed the error. Mr Ng was found by the Stewards to have breached Rule 50(2) in that he was negligent in the running of his stable and was fined a sum of $20,000. Mr Ip was advised that the Stewards will forward a report to the Stables Management regarding his involvement in this matter. PERFECT TEN was slow to begin. SUISSE D’OR began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along was slow to muster speed. HAPPY CHA CHA was crowded for room at the start between SURE CHAMP and HAPPY DRUMMING which shifted in. Shortly after the start, MIRAGE R shifted in and bumped SILENT DEMAND. Passing the 1400 Metres, SURE CHAMP was steadied when crowded for room inside NICKU (M L Yeung) which shifted in when not properly clear. M L Yeung was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he gives sufficient clearance when shifting ground in future. HAPPY DRUMMING raced wide and without cover until after the 1000 Metres. Near the 450 Metres, PERFECT TEN was momentarily crowded for room between SILENT DEMAND and MIRAGE R which got its head on the side and shifted in marginally away from NICKU. HAPPY CHA CHA was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. The performances of VICTORY IDE SAY, SILENT DEMAND and PERFECT TEN, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VICTORY IDE SAY, SILENT DEMAND and PERFECT TEN will all be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding of PEGASUS SUPREME, W C Marwing stated that he had been asked to ride the horse in the lead if possible, however, if other runners showed superior pace in the early stages, it was acceptable to take a sit behind the speed if those circumstances arose. He said however that he was told if it were that PEGASUS SUPREME was required to take a position behind runners, he should be aware that the horse had previously over-raced. He said after obtaining the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion, he steadied PEGASUS SUPREME and the horse relaxed nicely for him in the lead. He said however that rounding the turn near the 1200 Metres into the Back Straight, PEGASUS SUPREME commenced to over-race and this resulted in the horse commencing to establish a margin over the remainder of the field. He said he attempted to restrain PEGASUS SUPREME as he was aware that the horse was travelling at a quick tempo, however, he was reluctant to forcefully restrain the horse as it had been explained to him that it had proved difficult in these circumstances. He added that along the Back Straight he continued to endeavour to have PEGASUS SUPREME come back underneath him, however, the horse continued to over-race and because of this ran at a much quicker tempo than he had anticipated. He said after the race he recommended to the connections of PEGASUS SUPREME that they consider removing the blinkers from the horse’s gear as, in his opinion, it was this piece of gear that had resulted in PEGASUS SUPREME over-racing today. Mr K W Lui, the trainer of PEGASUS SUPREME, confirmed that he had asked for the horse to be ridden in the lead today if possible as it had performed well when ridden in this manner in the past. He said it was apparent to him that PEGASUS SUPREME had over-raced during the event and following the advice of Jockey Marwing, he would consider removing the blinkers from the horse’s gear at its next start. He did say that jockeys, who had ridden PEGASUS SUPREME in the past, had advised him that the horse may benefit from having the blinkers removed, however, as PEGASUS SUPREME had previously been successful with blinkers applied, he had been reluctant until this time to remove them from the horse. W C Marwing was advised that whilst the Stewards would have been comfortable to have seen him make a greater effort to steady the tempo on PEGASUS SUPREME, nonetheless it was apparent that the horse was inclined to race fiercely during today’s race. He was further advised, wherever possible, to ensure that horses are ridden in a manner so as to afford them the opportunity to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of PEGASUS SUPREME after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being permitted to race again, PEGASUS SUPREME will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY IDE SAY and PERFECT TEN after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY CHA CHA and HANDSOME BATCHELOR were sent for sampling.