12/11/2016  Shatin  Race 3

MIGHTY WONGCHOY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CONSISTENT, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. After this, MIGHTY WONGCHOY was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed. As the start was effected, AMBITIOUS SPEEDY bounded in the air and then, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Also from wide barriers, ATOMIC BLAST and RACINGFORPLEASURE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. DRAGON BACHELOR and DRAGON HARMONY bumped shortly after the start. In the early stages, STARRY STARLIES was steadied to obtain cover. For some distance approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, STARRY STARLIES commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PLANET GIANT. Approaching the 800 Metres, COMMANDANT (N Rawiller) was shifted out in an attempt to improve between DRAGON HARMONY and PLANET GIANT which was then ridden along to maintain its position. When COMMANDANT shifted out, EQUITY DOCTRINE improved its position to be racing tight between COMMANDANT and CONSISTENT. Then near the 700 Metres, COMMANDANT was checked and EQUITY DOCTRINE hampered when COMMANDANT was unable to remain racing between DRAGON HARMONY and PLANET GIANT which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by COMMANDANT. STARRY STARLIES, which was racing outside COMMANDANT and GARLIC YEAH, which was following COMMANDANT, were badly hampered in consequence. N Rawiller was advised to ensure that he exercises more care when attempting to improve into tight running in future. Passing the 600 Metres, GARLIC YEAH was momentarily crowded for room inside COMMANDANT which shifted in marginally after coming under pressure. Rounding the Home Turn, EQUITY DOCTRINE raced tight between PLANET GIANT and CONSISTENT which shifted to the outside of LUCKY BALL when that horse was commencing to give ground. LUCKY BALL then continued to give ground, resulting in MIZZEN GREY and AMBITIOUS SPEEDY both being badly hampered when held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. LUCKY BALL subsequently finished tailed out. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY BALL immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY BALL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Approaching the 100 Metres, MIZZEN GREY momentarily raced in restricted room inside GARLIC YEAH which shifted in. Close to the finishing line, DRAGON HARMONY raced tight inside CONSISTENT. The Stewards questioned Apprentice K K Chiong regarding her riding of MIGHTY WONGCHOY from after the 1400 Metres until near the 700 Metres. Apprentice Chiong stated that after racing directly to the inside of EQUITY DOCTRINE after the 1500 Metres, she commenced to steady her mount when racing tight inside that horse which was racing tight inside runners to its outside. She agreed with the Stewards that there was an opportunity for her to continue to maintain her position rather than steady MIGHTY WONGCHOY which resulted in MIGHTY WONGCHOY being checked out across the heels of EQUITY DOCTRINE approaching the 1200 Metres after that horse continued to race tight inside GARLIC YEAH. Apprentice Chiong was also questioned regarding her failure to maintain her position inside MIZZEN GREY for some distance after the 1200 Metres. She again agreed that, in retrospect, she should have made more endeavour to maintain her position on MIGHTY WONGCHOY which would have prevented MIZZEN GREY from being able to cross MIGHTY WONGCHOY prior to the 1000 Metres. Apprentice Chiong was also spoken to regarding MIGHTY WONGCHOY not racing closer behind MIZZEN GREY when there was an opportunity to do so for some distance after the 800 Metres. Apprentice Chiong, in the presence of her allocated trainer, Mr K W Lui, was advised that her failure to hold her position for a significant portion of this race had come under notice and she was further advised that she must ride her mounts in such a manner so that they are able to maintain as prominent a position as is possible in the circumstances. A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY WONGCHOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EQUITY DOCTRINE and CONSISTENT were sent for sampling.