23/09/2015  Happy Valley  Race 7

BUDDY BUDDIES was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of WILLIE INVICTUS which was taken in by BEST HOPE which shifted in. A short distance later, DUAL HAPPY became unbalanced when bumped by WILLIE INVICTUS which continued to race tight inside BEST HOPE. From the outside barrier, LOTUS STRIKES BACK was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. After the 800 Metres, FORMULA WON was shifted out away from the heels of LOTUS STRIKES BACK after being awkwardly placed behind that horse. Near the 650 Metres, DUAL HAPPY and WILLIE INVICTUS raced tight after WILLIE INVICTUS shifted out away from the heels of PO CHING TREASURE which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEST HOPE. Approaching the 600 Metres, DUAL HAPPY raced tight inside FORMULA WON as FORMULA WON improved around DUAL HAPPY and that horse attempted to shift to the outside of SPEEDY LONGWAH. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, PO CHING TREASURE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEST HOPE. At the 500 Metres, SPEEDY LONGWAH and FORMULA WON raced tight as SPEEDY LONGWAH attempted to shift out from behind WIN IT. At the entrance to the Straight, SPEEDY LONGWAH shifted out and bumped FORMULA WON. Shortly after entering the Straight, DUAL HAPPY shifted in and made contact with LOTUS STRIKES BACK. In the early part of the Straight, AGIAAL was inclined to lay in and proved difficult to shift to the outside of DUAL HAPPY. Near the 250 Metres, BEST HOPE was shifted out away from the heels of SOLAR KINGDOM. SPEEDY LONGWAH lost its left front plate after the race. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been asked to lead on SOLAR KINGDOM in order for the horse to find the rail as it always races best when ridden in this manner. He said it was thought that SOLAR KINGDOM would have sufficient speed to cross runners to its inside in the early stages, however, BEST HOPE, which was positioned to the inside of SOLAR KINGDOM, was ridden aggressively approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion. He said he continued forward of that horse near the 1400 Metres in an endeavour to display that it was his intention to lead. He said however that BEST HOPE continued to be ridden along to maintain its position to the inside of SOLAR KINGDOM. He added as SOLAR KINGDOM had previously not finished off the race when unable to lead on the rail, he continued forward of that horse even though he was aware that the tempo of the race was fast. He said it was not until after the 1000 Metres that BEST HOPE was steadied which allowed SOLAR KINGDOM to improve into the lead approaching the 800 Metres. He said because of the way the race was run in the early and middle stages, SOLAR KINGDOM was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SOLAR KINGDOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, K C Ng (BEST HOPE) stated that he was given explicit instructions by Mr C H Yip, the trainer of the horse, to lead if possible. He said he was advised to ride his mount in such a manner so as to obtain the lead if possible as the horse had been successful in the lead in the most recent start. He said however that if another runner was intent on leading and the race was being run at a particularly fast tempo, it was then acceptable for him to allow that horse to cross into the lead and take a sit behind it. He said in accordance with his instructions, he rode his mount aggressively in the early stages in an endeavour to prevent SOLAR KINGDOM from crossing into the lead. He said he had hoped that by riding his mount in this fashion that the rider of SOLAR KINGDOM would then not continue on and would maintain its position to the outside of BEST HOPE. He said however after the 1200 Metres he was aware that the race was being run at a very fast tempo and therefore near the 1100 Metres he commenced to steady his mount to allow SOLAR KINGDOM to assume the lead. K C Ng was advised that the Stewards would interview Mr Yip, who left the course immediately after the race, before they give consideration to this matter. Mr Yip and Jockey Ng were advised that the Stewards would continue hearing the matter prior to the first race at the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Monday, 28 September 2015. A veterinary inspection of BEST HOPE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding his riding out of IMPERIAL CONCORDE in the Straight, M Chadwick stated that the horse became badly unbalanced rounding the Home Turn after bumping the running rail when racing tight inside LOTUS STRIKES BACK. He said because of this he ensured that the horse was properly balanced in the early part of the Straight before riding it out mainly hands and heels in the Straight. He said he used the whip on a number of occasions both behind the saddle and down the shoulder and IMPERIAL CONCORDE finished off the race only fairly. M Chadwick was advised that his riding out of IMPERIAL CONCORDE in the Home Straight had come under notice and that he must ride his mounts out with sufficient purpose and vigour so as to ensure that his riding is not open to question. FORMULA WON, WIN IT and SPEEDY LONGWAH were sent for sampling.