03/06/2012  Shatin  Race 8

GOLDEN OSMANTHUS was slow to begin. FLYING SUPREME and SUPER FRESH bumped at the start. Passing the 1400 Metres, SUPER FRESH proved difficult to settle when being steadied. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GOLDEN SCALPEL got its head up and proved difficult to settle for a short distance. After being crossed by ABSOLUTE FANTASY near the 1000 Metres, MEDALLIST proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, CRAIG’S PRIDE and FLYING SUPREME raced tight inside ABSOLUTE FANTASY (W M Lai) which shifted in. W M Lai was reprimanded. ALWAYS SOMETHING had difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. CRAIG’S PRIDE was not able to obtain clear running until passing the 300 Metres. Throughout the race, KING’S PACT travelled wide and without cover. The performances of HAPPY SEVEN and SUPER FRESH, which both finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY SEVEN and SUPER FRESH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Following the race, the Stewards interviewed M Du Plessis, the rider of MEDALLIST, Mr D J Hall, the trainer of the horse, and Mr T McGovern, the Starter. M Du Plessis stated that when parading behind the barriers, the hood and the bridle applied to MEDALLIST slipped forward over the horse’s head which necessitated both pieces of equipment being refitted by the barrier attendants. He said after the hood and the bridle were refitted, the equipment was examined by himself and he was satisfied that it was properly fitted. He further explained that prior to the 600 Metres he rode his mount along to have it maintain its position and a short distance later the bridle and the hood again slipped forward over the horse’s head, resulting in MEDALLIST’s vision being impaired for a distance. He said that the equipment continued to slip forward and his only alternative was to keep a good hold of the head of MEDALLIST to stop the bit from being dislodged from the horse’s mouth, resulting in MEDALLIST having to be eased down in the Straight. Mr Hall stated that he had applied a norton bit which the horse carried today and the hood to MEDALLIST in track work and that he had not experienced any issues with the use of this gear. He said he had used both gear in combination previously on horses and in particular the norton bit and he had not experienced any issues similar to that which MEDALLIST experienced today. He further stated that it is his intention to consider the use of an alternative bit on MEDALLIST and will also give strong consideration to removing the hood from the horse to prevent a reoccurrence of this incident. The Stewards questioned Apprentice K C Ng, the rider of JIMSON THE BEST, in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr C H Yip, who also trains the horse, regarding his riding of that horse. He said he was instructed to take up a forward position, but not to make too much use of the horse in order to do so. He said from the outside barrier he allowed JIMSON THE BEST to take up a forward position, however, HAPPY SEVEN and ABSOLUTE FANTASY maintained their positions to his inside and as he felt that he would have had to ride JIMSON THE BEST along to cross either of those horses, he elected, near the 1400 Metres, to steady JIMSON THE BEST with a view to possibly obtaining cover. He said when he did this, the tempo of the race slowed, however, he believed that he had already committed himself to obtaining cover and for this reason continued to steady JIMSON THE BEST in the hope that he might be able to obtain the necessary cover. He added that approaching the first turn he was left wide to the outside of SUPER FRESH and for this reason he further steadied JIMSON THE BEST and near the 800 Metres was able to obtain cover behind that horse, however, much further back in the field than had been intended. He said that rounding the Home Turn he shifted JIMSON THE BEST out and the horse then finished off the race quite well. He said that, in retrospect, he had erred in not continuing forward on JIMSON THE BEST to overcome being wide rather than restraining the horse as he did. Mr Yip stated that he advised Apprentice Ng immediately after the race that he had erred in not making more endeavour to obtain a forward position on JIMSON THE BEST as it was always anticipated that today’s race would be run at a moderate tempo. He said prior to the race he had anticipated HAPPY SEVEN to lead and he had hoped that JIMSON THE BET would be able to obtain a position outside that horse. The Stewards advised Apprentice Ng that contrary to the manner in which he had ridden each of his three winners earlier in the programme, he had not ridden JIMSON THE BEST well in this race. He was advised that it was apparent that he should have allowed JIMSON THE BEST to continue forward and cross runners to his inside due to the anticipated average tempo of the race which turned out to be the case. He was further advised to ensure that, wherever possible, he rides his mounts in accordance with his instructions and ensures that they are ridden to advantage. GIGGLES FOREVER and JOLLY FINE were sent for sampling. <4/6/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that ALWAYS SOMETHING was lame in the right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, ALWAYS SOMETHING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.