26/09/2007  Shatin  Race 4

AS YOU WISH and DANEPRINT began awkwardly. WATCHMAN was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, DONGGUAN VICTORY was hampered when crowded for room between WONG'S FAVOURITE which shifted out and CHEERFUL HAPPINESS which was taken in slightly by HURRICANE WAY. After this, DONGGUAN VICTORY was ridden along, however, failed to muster speed and got well back. Also shortly after the start, HURRICANE WAY was steadied away from the heels of CHEERFUL HAPPINESS. Near the 1400 Metres, DANEPRINT was crowded for room inside KNIGHT TEMPLAR which was steadied and shifted out to avoid the heels of CAPTAIN BUNNY (Apprentice C W Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. When KNIGHT TEMPLAR was steadied and shifted out, it caused some crowding on its outside to STAR PRODIGY. Apprentice Wong was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Approaching and passing the 300 Metres, AS YOU WISH was held up and unable to obtain clear running between WONG'S FAVOURITE and CHEERFUL HAPPINESS. At the 300 Metres, RED FORTUNE was steadied and shifted to the outside of DANEPRINT in an endeavour to obtain clear running, then for a considerable distance after the 200 Metres was held up and unable to improve. For the majority of the Home Straight, CAPTAIN BUNNY was not able to obtain clear running and because of this was not tested. For the major part of the race, NATURAL ECHO travelled wide and without cover. Mr T W Leung, trainer of CHEERFUL HAPPINESS, explained when the horse raced first up this season over 1600 Metres, it was made use of to be ridden in a forward position in what was a quickly run race. He said because of this CHEERFUL HAPPINESS failed to finish the race off as he had hoped and in his opinion was disappointing. He said CHEERFUL HAPPINESS has had 6 previous starts over 1800 Metres and has on each occasion failed to finish in the placings. He said because of this he formed the opinion that CHEERFUL HAPPINESS had difficulty running out a strong 1800 Metres, he therefore asked O Doleuze, the rider of CHEERFUL HAPPINESS, to ride the horse where it was comfortable, however, to ensure he did not make use of CHEERFUL HAPPINESS to obtain a forward position as in his opinion if this was done, the horse would not close the race off today. Mr Leung said should CHEERFUL HAPPINESS draw more favourably, he would be hopeful the horse would obtain a more forward position with cover. He said however if CHEERFUL HAPPINESS is drawn wide, he would not wish to have use made of the horse to go forward in the early stages. He said the manner in which CHEERFUL HAPPINESS finished the race off today in his opinion confirmed that the horse performs best without being made use of in the early stages. O Doleuze confirmed the riding instructions issued and said because of those instructions he elected after receiving some crowding at the start to steady his mount to obtain a position towards the rear. He said when being ridden in this manner CHEERFUL HAPPINESS closed the race off strongly in the early part of the Straight, however, in his opinion the horse's run ended short of the line. When questioned, Mr A Lee, trainer of FIGS, which performed poorly, said since the horse's first up win, it has pleased the stable in its work. He said he believed FIGS would be better suited by the 1800 Metres of today's race than that of the 1600 Metres it ran first up. He said the intention had been the same to lead with FIGS and commence to increase the tempo from the 600 Metres as the horse is one-paced. He was not able to account for the horse's performance today other than to say FIGS appeared more tense when it arrived in the Parade Ring than it had been at its previous start. G Mossé, the rider of FIGS, said the horse travelled comfortably in the lead and at the 600 Metres he gradually increased the tempo as instructed. He said on straightening when TELECOM TYCOON improved to race on his outside, FIGS did not quicken despite his riding. He said shortly after this he placed FIGS under heavy pressure and the horse kept on until the 150 Metres when it commenced to give ground. Mr Lee was reminded of his responsibilities to ensure horses trained by him avoid performing inconsistently where possible. FIGS was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of FIGS after the race did not show any significant findings. AS YOU WISH and DANEPRINT were sent for sampling.