05/04/2021  Shatin  Race 5

EUROMISSILE was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, TAKING AIM was bumped by KILLER BEE which was taken in by UTOPIA LIFE which, after initially being bumped by YO BEAUTY, then shifted in away from that horse. From the outside barrier, LOYAL BABY was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners and then for the most part of the race travelled wide and without cover. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, TORNADO TWIST, which was travelling keenly, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING SWORD. KILLER BEE made the turn after the 900 Metres awkwardly when being steadied to obtain cover behind YO BEAUTY. Near the 550 Metres, EUROMISSILE became unbalanced when bumped by TORNADO TWIST (B Shinn) which shifted out from behind FLYING SWORD. B Shinn was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 200 Metres, LOYAL BABY was crowded for room between TORNADO TWIST and FLYING SWORD which, when improving to the outside of the heels of TAKING AIM, was then directed out by that horse which got its head on the side and shifted out. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was not provided with any specific instructions on how to ride FLYING SWORD other than to have the horse racing where it was comfortable. He said FLYING SWORD began very well and when a number of horses, which were drawn wider, were ridden to obtain a forward position, he was comfortable to allow FLYING SWORD to obtain a position with cover. He said after the 1000 Metres he was following KILLER BEE with TAKING AIM positioned to the outside of FLYING SWORD. He said after beginning well FLYING SWORD did not continue to show early speed and he believed that he would have had to ride his mount along after the 1000 Metres to continue to maintain the position behind KILLER BEE. He said as this would have been contrary to his instructions, he allowed TAKING AIM to cross FLYING SWORD as, in his opinion, he would have had to make use of the horse in an attempt to prevent TAKING AIM from crossing which may not have allowed FLYING SWORD the opportunity to finish off the race. Having regard to the circumstances of the race, M L Yeung was told that, in the opinion of Stewards, he should have made more of an attempt to maintain his position behind KILLER BEE. He was further told to ensure that he makes every endeavour to maintain favourable positions wherever appropriate circumstances exist. When questioned, K Teetan (DECISIVE TWELVE) stated that in the early part of the Straight he was held up for clear running behind UTOPIA LIFE and YO BEAUTY. He said as KILLER BEE was racing directly to the outside of YO BEAUTY, he did not believe it was available to him to shift to the outside of YO BEAUTY passing the 400 Metres. He said at this stage he hoped that YO BEAUTY would commence to give ground which would provide him with the opportunity to improve to that horse’s inside, however, as both YO BEAUTY and UTOPIA LIFE continued to maintain their positions with KILLER BEE remaining directly to the outside of YO BEAUTY, this resulted in DECISIVE TWELVE continuing to be held up for clear running. He said approaching the 250 Metres he commenced to shift to the outside of YO BEAUTY and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. He said he felt that to shift directly to the outside of YO BEAUTY, he would have had to steady DECISIVE TWELVE at a critical stage of the race and as NOBLE STEED was improving its position to the inside of DECISIVE TWELVE, he elected not to continue to pursue the run to the outside of YO BEAUTY. He added at this stage a run was also developing between YO BEAUTY and UTOPIA LIFE, however, by the time he positioned his mount to take advantage of that run, the gap had closed between YO BEAUTY and UTOPIA LIFE which resulted in him not being able to obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres at which stage he was able to direct DECISIVE TWELVE to the inside of UTOPIA LIFE. After considering Jockey Teetan’s evidence and after viewing the film, the Stewards took no further action. REGENCY BO BO and KILLER BEE were sent for sampling.