RACE 4 (98)

Shifted out at start, raced 2 wide in midfield, angled out 400M, 3 lengths or so back turning in, showed limited response early in straight, weakened inside final furlong.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Crowded start, raced at rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, unable to obtain clear run until approaching final 100M, made minor progress thereafter.

Incident Report
Held up approaching the 200 Metres. Shifted out at the 200 Metres and made contact with THE PERFECT MATCH. Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped well, raced 3 wide in midfield, no cover after entering the back straight, moved closer after passing 600M, showed good response early in straight, took the lead 200M, peaked and headed 150M, weakened gradually close home.

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by C L Chau, rider of THE PERFECT MATCH, 3rd placegetter, against THUNDER PRINCE (H Bowman) being declared 2nd placegetter alleging interference near the 200 Metres. After considering the evidence the Stewards found that after being held up for clear running behind KING GLORIOSO approaching the 200 Metres THUNDER PRINCE then shifted out and made contact with THE PERFECT MATCH, resulting in that horse being taken out slightly. As the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had that incident not occurred, THE PERFECT MATCH would have finished in advance of THUNDER PRINCE, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry H Bowman was advised in similar circumstances he should exercise more care. In assessing the incident the Stewards took into consideration that Jockey Bowman advised that he had anticipated KING GLORIOSO to continue to shift in which would have presented him with clear running. When questioned regarding his riding between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres and as to whether there was an opportunity to ride his mount with more vigour C L Chau stated that he was asked to obtain a position where comfortable but did not place his mount under pressure too soon as THE PERFECT MATCH was found to have bled previously. He said with these instructions in mind, after entering the Home Straight, whilst encouraging his horse to improve, he did not ride it with full vigour having regard to his instructions and also the fact that THE PERFECT MATCH lay in during that section of the race. He added that when he reached the 200 Metres he then applied full vigour to his mount and THE PERFECT MATCH finished the race off well following contact with THUNDER PRINCE. Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions and the reasons as to why such instructions were issued and expressed satisfaction with Jockey Chau’s riding. Having considered the evidence the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Chau were reasonable in the circumstances. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on THE PERFECT MATCH at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, THE PERFECT MATCH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Moderately away from a wide draw, raced 2 wide behind midfield, 3 wide from 650M, moved a bit closer after passing 600M, 2 lengths or so back turning in, showed limited response early in straight, weakened final 150M.

Incident Report
Briefly held up on the Home Turn.

Average to begin, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, angled out approaching 300M, showed very good response in straight, hit the front 150M, kept on very strongly to the line.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly and lost ground.

Made contact shortly after start, positioned 2 wide, a length or so back, 2-1/2L back after entering the back straight, same margin back turning in, peaked early in straight, eased final 150M.

Incident Report
M L Yeung was reprimanded for using the whip on 2 consecutive strides near the 125 Metres.

Began well from gate 1, raced better than midfield on the inside, saved ground throughout, made some progress early in straight, peaked 150M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Began well, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length, travelled well to turn, peaked and headed 200M, weakened final 100M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Leaving the 150 Metres was disappointed for clear running between SUNNY SING SPIRIT and LUCKY KING which shifted out.

Jumped with them, raced prominently but 3 wide in the early stages, 2 wide after entering the back straight, 3/4L back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened final 200M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Assistant Trainer W H Ip confirmed that the instructions were to ride the horse in a conservative manner in the early stages to offset the outside barrier. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Made contact shortly after start, raced towards rear on the outside, very wide turning in, made good progress in straight to take 2nd, no threat to the winner.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with GREAT LOOKING. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Slightly slow out and crowded, raced behind midfield on the inside, 2 wide from 650M, 5 lengths back turning in, made no impression in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start.

Began only fairly, raced at rear on the outside, very wide turning in, passed some tired runners in straight.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. After travelling a short distance blundered. The performance of GREAT LOOKING, which finished tailed out on the second consecutive occasion, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT LOOKING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination which must include additional diagnostic assessments. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported.