08/06/2013  Shatin  Race 4

ACCESS YEARS proved difficult to load. Before being allowed to race again, ACCESS YEARS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. From a wide barrier, HOW SPEEDY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 700 Metres, TRIUMPHANT DRAGON became unbalanced when racing greenly. For the majority of the race, AMAZING TREASURE and PEARL WIN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, G Mossé stated that from the wide barrier he had been asked to be positive on STAR OF WAI BO in the early stages and attempt to lead, however, if K-MOOCHI, the other anticipated leader in the race, was intent on maintaining the lead, he should sit off that horse. He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode STAR OF WAI BO along in the early stages in order to cross runners to his inside. He said shortly after the start he established a margin over K-MOOCHI and he felt that STAR OF WAI BO would have sufficient speed to cross that horse and lead. He added however that K-MOOCHI was ridden along to his inside to maintain its position, therefore he allowed STAR OF WAI BO to remain racing to the outside of that horse as it crossed over towards the rail. He added approaching the 800 Metres K-MOOCHI crossed to be racing on the rail with STAR OF WAI BO being placed directly to that horse’s outside. He said it was apparent to him that STAR OF WAI BO would not be able to cross K-MOOCHI and as the race had been run at a fast tempo, he steadied STAR OF WAI BO in an attempt to have it sit off K-MOOCHI to its inside. He said however that with side winkers applied and use having been made of STAR OF WAI BO in the early stages, the horse did not come back underneath him as he had hoped despite his efforts to have it steady. He added he did not fight against the horse to have it steady as he felt this would break its stride which would not be in its best interests. He said after the 800 Metres he attempted to steady the pace on STAR OF WAI BO as he was aware that the race was continuing at a fast tempo and that STAR OF WAI BO would not be able to finish off its race. Jockey Mossé stated that he had ridden STAR OF WAI BO in some of its work in the lead up to today’s race and in this work the horse had proved difficult to settle. He said therefore he had recommended to Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of STAR OF WAI BO, that he consider removing the side winkers from the horse. He said after today’s race he had again advised Mr Tsui that, in his opinion, STAR OF WAI BO would perform better without the side winkers applied. Mr Tsui stated that it had been his intention to try and sit off K-MOOCHI if possible as STAR OF WAI BO had raced well at its last start when racing behind the leaders from an inside barrier. He said however that STAR OF WAI BO became very stirred up when being saddled up and continued to be fractious in the Parade Ring. He said because of this, from barrier 11, he had concerns as to whether Jockey Mossé would be able to get STAR OF WAI BO to settle in the early stages as some use of the horse would have to be made to cross from that draw. He said for this reason he instructed Jockey Mossé to attempt to sit off K-MOOCHI if possible, however, if the rider of that horse was not intent on leading and STAR OF WAI BO was able to lead, then he had the option to continue on into the lead on the horse. Mr Tsui confirmed that Jockey Mossé had suggested removing the side winkers from STAR OF WAI BO for today’s race, however, as the horse had raced particularly well at its most recent start with the side winkers applied, he was reluctant to remove that gear from the horse for its race today. He said having in mind the manner in which STAR OF WAI BO raced today, he would strongly consider removing this piece of gear from STAR OF WAI BO in its future race starts. Mr Tsui was advised that his evidence would be reported. G Mossé was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made a more concerted effort to attempt to steady his horse than he did on this occasion given the fast tempo of the race in the early and middle stages. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF WAI BO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. K-MOOCHI, ACCESS YEARS and HOW SPEEDY were sent for sampling.