09/09/2018  Shatin  Race 9

MR WEALTH began only fairly. JOYFUL MOMENTS and ENCORE BOY bumped at the start. TANG FLEMING shifted out at the start and bumped GRAN MASTER which became unbalanced and in turn shifted out and bumped SHIMMER AND SHINE. Shortly after the start, GO PUBLIC was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Making the turn after the 700 Metres, JOYFUL MOMENTS and MR WEALTH raced tight inside TANG FLEMING which was racing in restricted room inside SHIMMER AND SHINE. At the 500 Metres, MR WEALTH was crowded for room between TANG FLEMING (N Callan) which shifted in marginally and JOYFUL MOMENTS which, after being bumped on the hindquarters by MR WEALTH, shifted out. N Callan was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room to runners on his inside. GRAN MASTER and GO PUBLIC, which were following, were inconvenienced in consequence. At the entrance to the Straight, GRAN MASTER was steadied when disappointed for running between STAR OF YAN OI and TANG FLEMING which shifted out. When questioned, S Clipperton stated that it was intended for CALIFORNIA ARCHER to be ridden in a forward position as it previously had been the case. He said CALIFORNIA ARCHER has a history of being worked up at the start and the horse again today was fractious after being placed in the barriers. He said when the start was effected CALIFORNIA ARCHER began only fairly and was then inconvenienced by GO PUBLIC which shifted out. He said as he believed that he would have had to make too much use of CALIFORNIA ARCHER to ride that horse into a forward position, given the manner in which it began, he elected then to shift across behind runners and obtain a position with cover on CALIFORNIA ARCHER much further back in the field than had been anticipated. He added in the circumstances CALIFORNIA ARCHER finished off the race quite well. When questioned regarding his riding of WINNING VANGOGH, Apprentice H T Mo stated that he was instructed, from the inside barrier, to lead on the horse as this was consistent with the manner he had ridden the horse previously. He said in order to comply with his instructions he continued to ride the horse along in the early and middle stages despite MYTHICAL EMPEROR holding an advantage over WINNING VANGOGH. Apprentice Mo agreed that in retrospect he should have allowed MYTHICAL EMPEROR to cross WINNING VANGOGH given that that horse raced in advance of WINNING VANGOGH and then should have shifted to the outside of that horse rather than continuing to ride his mount along to remain racing to its inside. Apprentice Mo was advised that whilst it is important for a rider to comply with his instructions wherever circumstances permit, nonetheless in order to give his mounts the best opportunity to finish off the race, he must be aware of the prevailing circumstances and ride them accordingly. A veterinary inspection of WINNING VANGOGH immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, WINNING VANGOGH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he was asked to lead on MYTHICAL EMPEROR if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount along in the early stages and it took him some time to cross ENCORE BOY to his inside. He said due to having to ride his mount forward of ENCORE BOY, he established a margin over WINNING VANGOGH which was racing on the rail at this time. He said given that he had established what he considered a significant advantage over WINNING VANGOGH and having regard to the fact that that horse had been ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, he felt that WINNING VANGOGH would be steadied by its rider to allow MYTHICAL EMPEROR to cross rather than continuing to be ridden along to maintain its position inside MYTHICAL EMPEROR. He added however that when that horse continued to pursue the position inside MYTHICAL EMPEROR, despite at all times MYTHICAL EMPEROR having an advantage over WINNING VANGOGH, he ceased riding his mount along after the 700 Metres. He said because of the amount of use that had to be made of MYTHICAL EMPEROR in the early stages, the horse then came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and gave ground noticeably in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of MYTHICAL EMPEROR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MYTHICAL EMPEROR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MYTHICAL EMPEROR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MR WEALTH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHIMMER AND SHINE, GO PUBLIC and ENCORE BOY were sent for sampling. <10/9/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>MR WEALTH, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. MR WEALTH was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer K L Man this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MR WEALTH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.