29/11/2017  Happy Valley  Race 8

LAND GRANT shifted out at the start and bumped KING OF MONGOLIA which became unbalanced. GOODHEART SUCCESS, which began only fairly, was steadied away from the heels of KING OF MONGOLIA in consequence. ACCLAIMED LIGHT and KING’S MAN bumped on a number of occasions shortly after the start due to KING’S MAN racing tight inside LET US WIN. Shortly after the start, TOP ACT shifted in and bumped SHARP SAILOR, causing TOP ACT to become unbalanced after receiving contact on the hindquarters from SHARP SAILOR. Passing the 1600 Metres, VICTORY BOYS was steadied away from the heels of TOP ACT which shifted in when racing tight inside LAND GRANT. Passing the 800 Metres, VICTORY BOYS was checked away from the heels of TOP ACT when unable to improve between that horse and ACCLAIMED LIGHT. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, TOP ACT was crowded for room between KING’S MAN and EASY HEDGE which made the turn awkwardly after getting its head up when racing close to the heels of LAND GRANT. Near the 350 Metres, TOP ACT was steadied when crowded for room between KING’S MAN which got its head on the side and lay in and SHARP SAILOR (N Rawiller) which was shifted to the outside of EASY HEDGE to obtain clear running. N Rawiller was advised that whilst there was a significant contribution to this incident from KING’S MAN, nonetheless he was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. For some distance after the 350 Metres, EASY HEDGE raced tight inside LAND GRANT which got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 200 Metres, LET US WIN shifted in of its own accord and made contact with the rail, resulting in the horse becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 100 Metres, LAND GRANT raced tight outside the hindquarters of EASY HEDGE which shifted out. For the majority of the race, KING’S MAN travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards will question Apprentice H T Mo, the rider of TEN FLAMES, regarding his riding of that horse prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 3 December 2017. EASY HEDGE, KING OF MONGOLIA and SHARP SAILOR were sent for sampling. <3/12/2017 29 November 2017 Happy Valley Racemeeting Race 8 (234)>As previously advised, the Stewards today questioned Apprentice H T Mo regarding his handling of TEN FLAMES. Apprentice Mo stated that he was instructed from the outside barrier to shift TEN FLAMES across behind runners in the early stages. He said he was asked if other horses commenced to improve their position along the Back Straight to see if he was able to follow one of those horses into the race. He said further he was asked to attempt to obtain inside runs on TEN FLAMES as it was anticipated that a number of runners, which would be in a more forward position, would be shifted wider at the entrance to the Straight which may allow TEN FLAMES the opportunity to obtain clear running closer to the rail. He said, from the outside barrier, he shifted TEN FLAMES across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned as to why TEN FLAMES was detached from the field in the early and middle stages, Apprentice Mo stated that he had GOODHEART SUCCESS in advance of TEN FLAMES and as that horse at various times shifted away from the rail, he therefore remained racing behind that horse with a view to establishing whether he would be able to obtain a run inside GOODHEART SUCCESS or to the outside of that horse. When questioned regarding his riding of TEN FLAMES in the Straight, he said he balanced up the horse in the early part of the Straight before commencing to use the whip near the 200 Metres and then rode the horse out with the whip over the concluding stages. Trainer L Ho confirmed the instructions given to Apprentice Mo and said he had asked Apprentice Mo to race in a position one horse off the rail along the Back Straight so that he was able to follow horses forward when they commenced to make their run near the 700 Metres. He said he was disappointed with Apprentice Mo’s ride on TEN FLAMES and expressed dissatisfaction to Apprentice Mo immediately after the race. Apprentice Mo was advised that the Stewards gave consideration to charging him with a breach of a significant Rule of Racing regarding his riding of TEN FLAMES. He was advised that his riding of the horse had come under notice and was severely reprimanded and told that he must ensure that his riding is not subject to query. The Stewards today questioned B Prebble regarding his riding out of VICTORY BOYS over the final 100 Metres. B Prebble stated that rounding the Home Turn he shifted VICTORY BOYS directly to the outside so as to ensure that the horse had free and uninterrupted running. He said he immediately placed VICTORY BOYS under pressure including riding the horse out with the whip. When questioned as to why he put the whip away near the 100 Metres, B Prebble stated that he felt that VICTORY BOYS was at its peak and therefore riding the horse out vigorously hands and heels all the way to the end of the race was all that was required. B Prebble was advised that his explanation would be reported. When questioned, S Clipperton (GOLD LAND) stated that from the wide barrier and as GOLD LAND was stepping up in distance to 1800 Metres for the first time in Hong Kong, he was asked to gradually allow the horse to obtain a forward position in the early stages. He said he was able to shift across to race outside the leader LET US WIN passing the winning post on the first occasion and did so without having to make use of GOLD LAND. He said GOLD LAND travelled comfortably throughout the race and then finished off the race well.