06/02/2013  Happy Valley  Race 5

From a wide barrier, SKY FAR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, CHINA POWER was steadied when crowded for room between SUPER FRESH and THE PRINCE which shifted in slightly. Making the first turn after the 600 Metres, GOLD RACER, which was racing wide and without cover, got its head on the side and lay out. Approaching the 200 Metres, Apprentice C Y Lui (CHINA POWER) dropped his whip. Over the concluding stages, SKY FAR, which was finishing off the race strongly, got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, TOMODACHI travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng stated that it was anticipated that tonight’s race would be run at a strong tempo and therefore, from the outside barrier, he was instructed to shift VICTORIUS across behind runners and obtain a position slightly behind midfield if possible. He was further instructed to make his run to the outside of runners in the Straight as Mr J Size, the trainer of VICTORIUS, wanted the horse to have uninterrupted running when finishing off the race. He said after shifting his mount across behind runners in the initial stages of the race, he rode VICTORIUS along shortly after the start to improve his position. He said when the pace of the race was strong in the early stages, VICTORIUS was beaten for speed and consequently raced at the rear of the field and further back than had been hoped. He said near the 700 Metres it was available to him to improve his position inside SKY FAR to make up ground behind CHINA POWER which was racing on the rail in advance of his mount, however, having in mind his instructions were to try to get to the outside if possible, he elected to remain racing behind SKY FAR to provide him with the option of shifting to the outside of that horse if possible. He said he continued racing behind SKY FAR approaching the 600 Metres and when it appeared that SEASONS STAR, which was racing to the outside and in advance of VICTORIUS, was not travelling well, he elected to improve inside that horse rather than shift to its outside so as to avoid covering unnecessary ground. He said although this resulted in him riding somewhat contrary to instructions, he believed this to be the best option at that time. He added he commenced to ride VICTORIUS along rounding the Home Turn and after placing it under full pressure in the Straight, the horse finished off the race strongly. Trainer J Size stated that, from the outside barrier, he expected VICTORIUS to be racing in a position outside of runners near the tail of the field. He said he advised Apprentice Ng of his preference for the horse to make its run to the outside of runners as with the rail being in the A position tonight, this often resulted in inside runs not eventuating in the Straight and he did not want VICTORIUS to have an interrupted run. Apprentice Ng was advised that whilst the Stewards were mindful that he attempted to ride to instructions in the early and middle stages, nonetheless he had given VICTORIUS too much to do in its race tonight and, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have shown more judgement and initiative and improved to be racing inside SKY FAR and behind CHINA POWER after the 700 Metres which would have allowed VICTORIUS to have made up ground to be closer to the bulk of the field. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they are able to improve their positions wherever possible. A veterinary inspection of GOLD RACER and TOMODACHI after the race did not show any significant findings. GOLD RACER, SUPER FRESH and RIDE ON THE FIRE were sent for sampling.