17/05/2020  Shatin  Race 7

TUNG WAH GLORY, which was kicked by a lead pony behind the barriers, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who reported that after the necessary consultations the horse was suitable to race. WEALTHY EMPLOYEE was slow to begin. MR ALDAN was steadied and shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1300 Metres, GIFT OF LIFELINE became unbalanced and made contact with the running rail when crowded for room inside REYNOLDS which was racing tight inside ALPHA HEDGE which was taken in marginally by TUNG WAY GLORY which, after racing tight inside EVER LAUGH (Z Purton), then got its head on the side and shifted in away from that horse. Z Purton was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. In this incident, WEALTHY EMPLOYEE and XIANG YIN were hampered in consequence. Approaching the 1100 Metres, REYNOLDS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALPHA HEDGE. Passing the 1000 Metres, XIANG YIN was awkwardly placed behind CHEERFUL LEADER. Passing the 400 Metres, GIFT OF LIFELINE was momentarily crowded for room when improving between EVER LAUGH and ALPHA HEDGE which shifted in marginally after being brushed by CHEERFUL LEADER. Passing the 300 Metres, TUNG WAH GLORY was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of AWE which shifted in away from EVER LAUGH when commencing to give ground. Near the 50 Metres, ALPHA HEDGE was awkwardly placed inside CHEERFUL LEADER which shifted in marginally. As CHEERFUL LEADER was corrected by its rider, that horse shifted out and bumped MR ALDAN, resulting in both CHEERFUL LEADER and MR ALDAN becoming badly unbalanced and CHEERFUL LEADER shifting in and hampering ALPHA HEDGE. Because of this, both CHEERFUL LEADER and ALPHA HEDGE were not ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Also in this incident, MR ALDAN was corrected by its rider after being bumped by CHEERFUL LEADER. After the race, C Y Ho reported that AWE travelled keenly in the lead after the 1300 Metres and would not relax. He said AWE was consequently not able to finish off the race. Also after the race, K Teetan was not able to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of TUNG WAH GLORY. He said after enjoying a good run behind the lead TUNG WAH GLORY obtained clear running in the early part of the Straight, however, did not quicken when placed under pressure and was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of TUNG WAH GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding his riding of CHEERFUL LEADER, J Moreira stated that he was not provided with specific instructions on how CHEERFUL LEADER should be ridden as he is very familiar with the horse. He said however that in pre-race discussions with Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of CHEERFUL LEADER, it was felt that there were not any natural leaders engaged in today’s race and as it was believed that the race may not be run at a fast tempo, the opportunity existed for CHEERFUL LEADER to obtain a prominent position if the horse began well. He said having ridden CHEERFUL LEADER on a number of occasions previously, the horse had over-raced when ridden along in the early stages to take up a forward position and therefore he was reluctant to ride his mount along in the early stages in order to take up a forward position. He said CHEERFUL LEADER began only fairly and shifted out and bumped TUNG WAH GLORY. He said this resulted in CHEERFUL LEADER becoming unbalanced and a short distance later became further unbalanced when buffeted for room between TUNG WAH GLORY and ALPHA HEDGE which shifted out. He said because of these factors CHEERFUL LEADER was not able to show sufficient early speed to obtain a forward position without having to be ridden along and given the horse’s propensity to over-race in the past, he elected to steady CHEERFUL LEADER shortly after the start and obtain a trailing position behind ALPHA HEDGE and XIANG YIN. He said he was comfortable to take this option as the connections of CHEERFUL LEADER had previously asked him to ride the horse in about a midfield position in some of its races due to the fact that they did not want it being ridden along to obtain a forward position. He added after steadying CHEERFUL LEADER, MR ALDAN was hard ridden inside CHEERFUL LEADER and was able to improve its position to be racing behind XIANG YIN which resulted in CHEERFUL LEADER being left racing in a three wide position. He said CHEERFUL LEADER was able to race with cover until after the 1200 Metres at which stage the horse was left racing three wide and without cover which it was required to do throughout the middle stages. Mr Yiu confirmed to the Stewards that he did not provide any set instructions on how CHEERFUL LEADER should be ridden given Jockey Moreira’s previous association with the horse. He also confirmed that he indicated to Jockey Moreira that there was a lack of pace engaged in today’s race and therefore the opportunity existed for CHEERFUL LEADER to obtain a forward position on the proviso that the horse began well. He added CHEERFUL LEADER had on occasions not relaxed as had been hoped when use was made of it in the early stages to obtain a forward position. He said based on the manner in which CHEERFUL LEADER began today and the fact that the horse was unbalanced in the early stages, he was satisfied with Jockey Moreira’s decision to steady CHEERFUL LEADER in an attempt to obtain cover as he would have been critical of Jockey Moreira had he have ridden his mount along in an attempt to obtain a forward position. J Moreira was advised that after viewing the videos and having taken into account the circumstance relating to the manner in which CHEERFUL LEADER began, no further action would be taken. A veterinary inspection of EVER LAUGH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHEERFUL LEADER, GIFT OF LIFELINE and MR ALDAN were sent for sampling.