05/02/2017  Shatin  Race 8

HEALTHY JOYFUL shifted out at the start and bumped MIDNIGHT RATTLER. SPICY SURE shifted out at the start and bumped LITTLE DRAGON. From wide barriers, WESTERN EXPRESS and TIME WARP were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1000 Metres, HEALTHY JOYFUL, which was travelling keenly, got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE DRAGON and approaching the 900 Metres shifted out and brushed NEW ASIA SUNRISE. In the early part of the Straight, HEALTHY JOYFUL had difficulty obtaining clear running and then passing the 200 Metres when attempting to improve into tight running between LITTLE DRAGON and NEW ASIA SUNRISE was steadied when momentarily crowded for room inside NEW ASIA SUNRISE which shifted in away from WESTERN EXPRESS. Passing the 350 Metres, TIME WARP got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of NEW ASIA SUNRISE, resulting in its rider having to correct the horse. Near the 250 Metres, TIME WARP and JOLLY JOLLY bumped as a result of TIME WARP shifting out to improve into tight running between NEW ASIA SUNRISE and JOLLY JOLLY which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WESTERN EXPRESS (J Moreira) which shifted in when being ridden along. WESTERN EXPRESS continued to hang in under pressure for the remainder of the race. J Moreira was advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledged the racing manners of WESTERN EXPRESS had contributed to the incident, nonetheless he should have done more to prevent his mount from shifting in at this time and accordingly he was reprimanded. Approaching the 100 Metres, TIME WARP was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of NEW ASIA SUNRISE (K Teetan) which shifted out. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care. Throughout the race, NEW ASIA SUNRISE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, S Clipperton stated that prior to the race it was felt that there were a number of runners drawn more favourably than JOLLY JOLLY which may vie for early forward positions. He said it was therefore unclear how much use would have to be made of JOLLY JOLLY in the early stages to obtain a forward position, however, he was asked that if the horse began well and was able to race close to the lead, then this was the preferred option. He said it was explained to him that SPICY SURE would likely lead and it was hoped that JOLLY JOLLY may be able to obtain a position outside that horse. He said JOLLY JOLLY began fairly and after initially riding his mount along out of the barriers he assessed that he would have had to ride JOLLY JOLLY along for some distance in order to have cleared horses to his inside, a number of which showed early speed. He said he therefore elected to shift across behind MIDNIGHT RATTLER and obtain cover in the early stages. He said he was able to shift out and follow TIME WARP near the 700 Metres and in the Straight JOLLY JOLLY then closed off the race strongly. Trainer P O’Sullivan confirmed the instructions provided to Jockey Clipperton and stated that he had previously explained to Jockey Clipperton that JOLLY JOLLY can over-race if ridden along and he was reluctant to have the horse ridden hard to obtain a forward position, however, he was always comfortable for the horse to race in a leading position if it was able to do so without too much use having to be made of it. He added that given the manner in which JOLLY JOLLY finished off the race today, he was completely satisfied in respect of Jockey Clipperton’s decision to obtain cover on the horse rather than continue to ride it along in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a forward position. When questioned regarding the performance of MIDNIGHT RATTLER, B Prebble stated that his mount did not appear to be suited by the slow tempo of the race in the middle stages as MIDNIGHT RATTLER was not able to quicken when the tempo increased after the 600 Metres. He said he was able to obtain uninterrupted running in the Straight, however, the horse did not quicken and, in his opinion, raced disappointingly. A veterinary inspection of MIDNIGHT RATTLER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on TONYBOY at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea. WESTERN EXPRESS and CALIFORNIA WHIP were sent for sampling.