11/03/2018  Shatin  Race 6

BIZ POWER was withdrawn on 10.3.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, BIZ POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROYAL PERFORMER was crowded for room on jumping between LAND GRANT which shifted out and TRAVEL FIRST which began awkwardly and shifted in. GRAN MASTER began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, FLYING QUEST was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. When being steadied passing the winning post on the first occasion to obtain cover, ROYAL PERFORMER got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle. After the 1000 Metres, SUPER CHIC was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of SUPER CHIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. The performance of SUPER CHIC, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER CHIC will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, COMFORT LIFE brushed the running rail and became unbalanced. The Stewards questioned Trainer C S Shum and Apprentice H T Mo regarding the tactics adopted on TRAVEL EMPEROR. Mr Shum stated that as the horse had drawn a wide barrier and in particular was stepping up in distance to 1650 Metres for the first time today in its racing career, he felt that TRAVEL EMPEROR’s best interests would be served by having it ridden from off the speed. He said he felt that the tempo of the race in the early stages would be good given that there were a number of horses drawn more favourably than TRAVEL EMPEROR which had previously shown good speed in their races. He said he felt there was an opportunity for TRAVEL EMPEROR to obtain a midfield position if the race was run at a good tempo in the early stages as anticipated. He said however that TRAVEL EMPEROR began better than he had envisaged and when the tempo of the race was not as fast as anticipated in the early stages, this resulted in TRAVEL EMPEROR being left very wide until being able to be shifted in to obtain cover after the 1200 Metres. He added whilst he would have preferred for Apprentice Mo to have allowed TRAVEL EMPEROR to obtain a forward position given the manner in which it began and the tempo of the race in the early stages, he acknowledged that Apprentice Mo was riding to his instructions. Apprentice Mo confirmed the instructions given to him by Mr Shum and stated that after beginning better than he expected, it took him a considerable amount of time to be able to steady TRAVEL EMPEROR to obtain a trailing position. He said TRAVEL EMPEROR travelled keenly when racing outside SUPER CHIC approaching and passing the 1400 Metres and then after obtaining cover behind SUPER CHIC in the middle stages, TRAVEL EMPEROR was reluctant to hold its positon which required him to ride the horse along for a considerable distance passing the 1000 Metres in an endeavour to have the horse maintain its position. He said TRAVEL EMPEROR subsequently finished off the race only fairly in the Straight. Mr Shum was advised that whilst the Stewards considered that, in the circumstances, his instructions were not unreasonable, he must ensure that when giving instructions, particularly to less experienced riders, he provides those riders with the latitude to show proper judgement and initiative to account for the changing circumstances of the race. Apprentice Mo was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he was riding to instructions, in their opinion, he should have shown more judgement on this occasion given that TRAVEL EMPEROR began particularly well and the pace of the race in the early stages was not as fast as had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of TRAVEL EMPEROR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LAND GRANT immediately following the race revealed that the horse had sustained a small cut to the left hind coronet. CALCULATION and ROYAL PERFORMER were sent for sampling.