14/10/2007  Shatin  Race 6

SEASONS KNACK was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, ON SHAN BRAVE was steadied when crowded for room between LUCKY MONEY and INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS which was carried out by GREEN IN BLUE which in turn was carried wider by SOUTH BREEZE. In the early stages, TACTIC KING travelled wide and without cover. Near the 400 Metres, SEASONS KNACK was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of TACTIC KING which was giving ground. Apprentice K L Chui (EYE WITNESS) pleaded not guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of MAN IN THE MIRROR, resulting in that horse losing its rightful running and being checked. Apprentice Chui, in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr A S Cruz, requested that Apprentice H W Lai be called as a witness on his behalf. As Apprentice Lai had left the course, this inquiry was adjourned until one hour prior to the running of Race 1 of the Happy Valley racemeeting next Wednesday 17 October 2007. Near the 300 Metres, S K Sit (GREEN IN BLUE) dropped his whip. After the 50 Metres, MAN IN THE MIRROR, which was closing the race off strongly, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of SOUTH BREEZE. The performance of TACTIC KING, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TACTIC KING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, S Dye (SOUTH BREEZE), which was having its first start over 2000 Metres today, explained the horse usually travels on the bit in its races. He said today SOUTH BREEZE travelled only fairly and on entering the Back Straight was racing inside GREEN IN BLUE in what was a quickly run race. He said for him to maintain his position near the 1200 Metres would have required him to make use of his horse which he believed in the circumstances would not be beneficial to his horse given the manner in which it was travelling. He said because of this GREEN IN BLUE was able to shift to the rail in front of him. He said SOUTH BREEZE continued to travel only fairly which is usual for the horse and after the 1000 Metres he looked down to the left hand side to make sure nothing was amiss. He said on entering the Straight he endeavoured to shift MASTERY which was racing to his outside wider on the track to obtain a clear run, however, despite being ridden vigorously SOUTH BREEZE was not travelling well enough to do so comfortably. He said when clear running did present between MASTERY and COURAGEOUSHEART near the 300 Metres, despite being ridden along vigorously SOUTH BREEZE was reluctant to improve into this opening. He said therefore after the 200 Metres he momentarily steadied his mount and shifted it to the outside of MASTERY in the hope that SOUTH BREEZE would close the race off when not between runners. He said however SOUTH BREEZE finished the race off in his opinion only fairly. Y T Cheng (LUCKY MONEY) explained his instructions today were the same as when the horse last raced and that was to endeavour to find the lead on the fence. He said because of those instructions he rode LUCKY MONEY in the early stages, however, LIAOBUQI travelled forward with him. He said after the 1600 Metres he endeavoured to go forward of LIAOBUQI, however, that runner maintained its position to his inside and he felt to have gone forward and cleared the horse would have required him to make too much use of his mount. He said LUCKY MONEY travelled comfortably forward of, however, outside LIAOBUQI in the lead. He said the middle stages of the race were run at an even tempo which he did not believe to be excessively fast bearing in mind the instructions he had been issued. C K Tong (LIAOBUQI) explained he had been instructed to lead on the horse as in the past it had shown itself to perform best when ridden in this manner. He said when LUCKY MONEY raced to his outside after making the first turn, he maintained his position on the inside of that horse and did not have to ride along to do so. He said near the 800 Metres he elected to allow LIAOBUQI to take a breather and at this point LUCKY MONEY crossed in front of him. TACTIC KING was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of TACTIC KING after the race did not show any significant findings. SOUTH BREEZE, GREEN IN BLUE and MASTERY were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported EYE WITNESS had sustained a cut to the left hind gaskin area as a result of being galloped on.