07/10/2018  Shatin  Race 5

BEST GIFT lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and lost ground. Then from wide barriers, BEST GIFT and MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. AFTER ME and VITAL SPRING bumped at the start. When questioned regarding his riding of RED HORSE in the early stages and how it was that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover, Apprentice C Wong stated that his instructions were to take up a prominent position, hopefully in the first four. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount urgently for the first 100 Metres where he noted that SUPER FUN, which was marginally behind and inside his horse, was also being hard ridden to assume the lead and he noticed that other runners nearer to the rail had taken up a forward position. He said passing the 1200 Metres when GOLDEN EFFORT was being ridden positively to his outside to contest the lead, he elected to steady RED HORSE in an attempt to obtain cover rather than continue to ride his mount along to remain racing outside of SUPER FUN. He said however that after being crossed by GOLDEN EFFORT, he was left in a three wide position without cover for the remainder of the race from the 1000 Metres. Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded for what the Stewards considered to be a lack of judgement on his behalf in that as his instructions did not preclude him from racing outside the ultimate leader SUPER FUN and that with the pace in the early stages not being fast, he had the clear option of riding his mount with more purpose approaching and passing the 1200 Metres to follow SUPER FUN across and sit outside that horse when it assumed the lead on the rail. He was told that whilst the Stewards appreciated that he is relatively inexperienced, on this occasion his riding fell well short of the standard expected of a rider in Hong Kong. A veterinary inspection of SHANGHAI DRAGON immediately following the race found that there was blood present at its left nostril. A subsequent endoscopic examination of SHANGHAI DRAGON confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. A veterinary inspection of MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SHANGHAI DRAGON, WITNESS HUNTER and SUPER FUN were sent for sampling.