11/12/2016  Shatin  Race 10

NASSA was withdrawn on 10.12.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DUKEDOM (D Whyte). Before being allowed to race again, NASSA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HIGH AND MIGHTY was slow to begin. LITTLE DRAGON lost its left front plate at the start. LITTLE DRAGON shifted out on jumping and bumped EAGLE WAY. From wide barriers, WESTERN EXPRESS, DUKEDOM and PAKISTAN STAR were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1500 Metres, SPICY SURE shifted out, resulting in APOLLO’S CHOICE being hampered and taken wider. Throughout the early and middle stages, LUCKY GIRL proved very difficult to settle and got its head up repeatedly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of runners in front. After the 1500 Metres, LITTERATEUR got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. Passing the 1300 Metres, SICHUAN DAR got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of LUCKY GIRL. SICHUAN DAR was held up for clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres. Over the concluding stages, HIGH AND MIGHTY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE DRAGON. Close to the finishing line, TONYBOY turned its head towards SANTA FE SUN, resulting in its rider, M L Yeung, having to stop riding and correct his mount. For the majority of the race, CHEEKY TOO travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards opened an inquiry into the tactics adopted on LUCKY GIRL. S de Sousa stated that during the week he had a number of discussions with Mr C H Yip, the trainer of LUCKY GIRL, regarding the manner in which the horse should be ridden in today’s race. He said Mr Yip advised him that both he and the owner of LUCKY GIRL had been disappointed with the manner in which the horse had finished off its last two races when leading, in particular at its last start when the horse was well beaten after dictating the tempo of the race. He said therefore it was decided to ride LUCKY GIRL from off the speed as the horse had previously been successful and had generally performed well when being ridden in this manner by him. He said in these discussions he had agreed that LUCKY GIRL may be suited by being ridden more patiently as the horse had weakened when ridden by him after racing in the lead over 1800 Metres at Sha Tin on 23 October 2016. Mr Yip stated that following its last start when the horse was ridden by a claiming apprentice and had not finished off its race, the owner of LUCKY GIRL had directed him to attempt to obtain the services of S de Sousa in today’s race given that the horse had raced successfully when ridden by him in the past. He said the owner had also requested for LUCKY GIRL to be ridden from about a midfield position if possible as he was disappointed that the horse was beaten 5 lengths after appearing to have been able to run the race at its own tempo. Mr Yip advised that in the Parade Ring he informed the owner that today’s race appeared to lack genuine speed and would likely not be run at a genuine tempo, however, the owner confirmed that the horse should be ridden patiently if at all possible. S de Sousa stated that after being able to obtain a position around midfield, LUCKY GIRL would not settle and after over-racing did not finish off the race. The Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a date to be fixed at which time the owner of LUCKY GIRL will be requested to appear. S de Sousa and Mr Yip were advised that the Stewards would consider the evidence provided thus far as well as review the horse’s previous races prior to the resumption of the inquiry. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY GIRL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PAKISTAN STAR, EAGLE WAY and SANTA FE SUN were sent for sampling.