17/04/2021  Shatin  Race 3

CLEAR CHOICE shifted out at the start and bumped GAMEPLAYER TIMES. SO WE JOY shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of STAR OF YUEN LONG. After this, from a wide barrier, SO WE JOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SKYEY SUPREME lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly. SKYEY SUPREME was then crowded for room between PING HAI TREASURE and TANGMERE which shifted out. SKYEY SUPREME was then ridden along in an attempt to obtain a forward position, however, continued to race tight between PING HAI TREASURE which shifted in marginally and TANGMERE which shifted out after becoming unbalanced as a result of being bumped on the hindquarters by SKYEY SUPREME and then racing tight outside PARTY EVERYDAY which lay out. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, SKYEY SUPREME was steadied when unable to continue to attempt to improve between TANGMERE and PING HAI TREASURE which resulted in SKYEY SUPREME racing back in the field. SKYEY SUPREME was then awkwardly placed inside the heels of GAMEPLAYER TIMES passing the 1400 Metres and was checked away from the heels of GAMEPLAYER TIMES near the 1350 Metres as that horse raced tight inside NOTHING NEW which in turn was racing tight inside STAR OF YUEN LONG. When racing wide passing the winning post on the first occasion, XIANG YIN was steadied to obtain cover. After the 1100 Metres, GAMEPLAYER TIMES was left racing wide and without cover. PARTY EVERYDAY raced with its head on the side and lay out under pressure in the Straight, particularly over the concluding stages. TANGMERE lay out under pressure in the Straight. When questioned, Apprentice K H Chan (STAR OF YUEN LONG) stated that, from the outside barrier, he was asked to allow his mount to improve in the early stages to take up a forward position. He said in accordance with his instructions he allowed the horse to gradually improve its position in the early stages to clear NOTHING NEW near the 1000 Metres. He said he intended to continue forward of PARTY EVERYDAY which was racing on the rail and to do so gradually as he had made some use of STAR OF YUEN LONG to cross runners to his inside and the race was being run at a faster tempo than he would have hoped. He said when he commenced to cross PARTY EVERYDAY after the 900 Metres, he received a call from the rider of PARTY EVERYDAY and therefore he continued to allow his mount to improve with a view to crossing that horse. He said as PARTY EVERYDAY maintained its position inside the heels of STAR OF YUEN LONG, he felt that he would have had to ride his mount along to properly clear that horse and as he did not believe this was in the best interests of STAR OF YUEN LONG, he remained racing one horse off the rail to ensure that his horse was balanced and in the hope that this would benefit it in being able to finish off the race. Apprentice Chan was told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had erred in not allowing his mount to improve its position such to cross PARTY EVERYDAY and race on the rail. He was advised that the Stewards felt that after the 750 Metres there was an opportunity to improve slightly without having to ride his mount along to clear PARTY EVERYDAY and race on the rail in the lead. He was further told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner to obtain the best position during a race and not cover unnecessary ground. Apprentice Chan said after this STAR OF YUEN LONG came under pressure and then weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. He said the circumstances of today’s race were different from its last start when the horse finished second after being able to obtain a trailing position with cover during the race. He said STAR OF YUEN LONG may also have not appreciated today’s "Wet Slow” racing surface after performing well on a "Good” track at its most recent run. A veterinary inspection of STAR OF YUEN LONG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SKYEY SUPREME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of XIANG YIN immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, XIANG YIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SO WE JOY and PARTY EVERYDAY were sent for sampling.