Recap by phillip woo

Happy Spirit was suited by the race tempo and proved too good over the final 200m following a midfield run as the favourite. The new racing style opened up more options for the usually bowl along type and he can win up in grade off a lightweight. Hard Ball Get came on nicely with one wider out after a patient ride third from the rear to snatch second close to home in a solid first run over this Valley trip. It was another good run in defeat this term but he is likely to need a drop in grade for a return to the winner's circle. Victory Marvel stayed on reasonably well following a one-out, one-back run behind a good pace in his first try over the mile. He'll remain competitive over the 1,200m and 1,650m at this course. Sunny Win finished strongly after travelling near the rear following a tardy break. He still has better days ahead. Golden Sleep kept grinding away after a deep run without cover beyond midfield from an outside gate. He's returning to form and make his presence felt from a good alley next start over this course.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (267)-TAI KOK TSUI HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 3 - 1650Metres

After being loaded into the barriers, SUNNY WIN became fractious and then as the start was effected was slow to begin.

JE PENSE, HARD BALL GET and GOLDEN SLEEP were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

For a considerable distance between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres, CLASSIC EMPEROR proved very difficult to settle in the lead.

After the 1200 Metres, GOLDEN SLEEP was left racing wide and without cover.

When travelling keenly in the lead, CLASSIC EMPEROR shifted out making the turn near the 1050 Metres and bumped TRUMP.

Near the 450 Metres, THE SYLPH was shifted out away from the heels of TRUMP which was commencing to give ground abruptly and in doing so bumped GOLDEN SLEEP.

SUNNY WIN was severely checked passing the 400 Metres after striking the heels of TRUMP which continued to give ground abruptly.

JE PENSE, which was following SUNNY WIN, was hampered in consequence.

WINSTON'S LAD, which was racing to the inside of TRUMP, was crowded for room in this incident.

After the race, K C Leung stated that AEROSPEED was unbalanced in its action at various stages of the race and as the horse did not feel comfortable, he eased it down in the Straight.

A veterinary inspection of AEROSPEED immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, AEROSPEED will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned regarding his riding of TRUMP in the early and middle stages, H W Lai stated that he had been asked to ride the horse in about 3rd or 4th position with cover from a wide barrier.

He said after riding his mount positively in the early stages, he looked to position TRUMP behind VICTORY MARVEL approaching the winning post on the first occasion, however, HAPPY SPIRIT had occupied that position which resulted in TRUMP being left racing three wide and without cover passing the winning post on the first occasion.

He said rather than remain racing wide, he allowed his mount to stride forward of VICTORY MARVEL to race outside the leader CLASSIC EMPEROR.

He said after crossing VICTORY MARVEL leaving the 1300 Metres, he shortened his hold in an endeavour to have TRUMP steady the tempo as CLASSIC EMPEROR to his inside was over-racing.

He added when he did this, TRUMP attempted to shift out on a number of occasions and proved very difficult for him to steady.

He said at all stages after the 1200 Metres he had a tight hold of the horse's inside rein in an endeavour to steady the tempo and prevent TRUMP from shifting out.

He said he was aware that the tempo of the race after the 1200 Metres was quick given the manner in which CLASSIC EMPEROR was racing in the lead and the manner in which TRUMP was proving difficult to settle, however, he was unable to do any more to steady that horse as he was making every endeavour to ease the tempo on TRUMP.

The Stewards were satisfied that H W Lai had made a reasonable attempt to steady TRUMP approaching and passing the 1200 Metres and it was also acknowledged that TRUMP has a prior history of wanting to hang out, however, H W Lai was told that in the circumstances the Stewards would have expected him to make a more concerted effort to steady the horse.

He was advised to ensure that he makes a satisfactory attempt at all times to ensure that horses ridden by him are rated so that they can finish off their race as best as they are able in the circumstances.

A veterinary inspection of TRUMP immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, TRUMP will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of WINSTON'S LAD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HAPPY SPIRIT and HARD BALL GET were sent for sampling.

GENERAL:

1.

Trainer T P Yung was fined the sum of $5,000 for breaching the Track Work Regulations in that ELECTRONIC PHOENIX (S343) competed in batch 9 of the Sha Tin All Weather barrier trials on Tuesday, 13 December 2016 with cotton wool applied.



2.

11 December 2016 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 10 (259) The Stewards tonight concluded their inquiry into the tactics adopted on LUCKY GIRL in this race.

Evidence was taken from Mr H H Cheng, the owner of LUCKY GIRL, and further evidence was taken from Mr C H Yip, the trainer of the horse.

Mr Cheng stated that he had had a number of discussions with Mr Yip as to how the horse should be ridden with these discussions being held in the week or so leading up to the race.

He said whilst LUCKY GIRL had been successful three starts ago when ridden in the lead, he had been disappointed by the manner in which the horse had failed to finish off its two most recent races when also ridden in the lead.

He said as S de Sousa had previously won a race on LUCKY GIRL when being ridden off the speed, he directed Mr Yip to have the horse ridden in a similar manner in this race if at all possible.

He added he acknowledged whilst Mr Yip may have subsequently informed him that this race would be run at a slow tempo due to there being no genuine speed in the race, he felt that it would be best for the horse to be ridden from a midfield position to see if it would be able to finish off its race as it had done in some of its previous races.

He said whilst he was not able to give an opinion on how this race would be run as compared to the races in which it was successful by being ridden off the speed, he did believe that the booking of Jockey de Sousa would overcome any potential issues associated with the tempo of the race.

Mr Cheng stated that following the disappointing performance of LUCKY GIRL in its recent races, he had submitted an application form for the horse to be transferred to another stable subsequent to this particular race.

He said this decision was not impacted upon by the manner in which the horse was ridden in this race, but rather it was more reflective of the overall recent performances of the horse.

Mr Cheng was advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledged that it is a prerogative of an owner to have input into the manner in which horses are ridden in races, nonetheless it must remain at the direction of the trainer as to how they are ridden so that the Rules which govern horses being ridden in a manner so as to provide them with the best opportunity to finish off the race are not breached.

He was further advised that whilst at the time the initial discussions were held in respect of the manner in which LUCKY GIRL should be ridden in this race the make-up of the field was largely unknown, however, he should have been cognizant of the advice provided by Mr Yip in the Parade Ring regarding the likely tempo of the race.

Mr Yip was advised that whilst the Stewards were aware of the sometimes difficult position that trainers are placed in in respect of the wishes of owners, nonetheless as a professional racehorse trainer licensed by the Club, he has an obligation to utilize all available means to ensure that horses are ridden in a reasonable manner consistent with the prevailing circumstances of the race.

S de Sousa, the rider of LUCKY GIRL, will be advised that whilst all riders have an obligation to execute their riding instructions wherever circumstances permit, nonetheless it is expected of them to show judgement and initiative in races when the instructions are not able to be executed without impacting upon that horse's performance.



3.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 11 December 2016 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of JING JING WIN, WATER DIVINER, ENDEARING, WILLIE WAY, GENERAL SHERMAN, ISHVARA, WINNER'S WAY, BEAT THE CLOCK, SATONO CROWN, HIGHLAND REEL, AEROVELOCITY, LUCKY BUBBLES, BLIZZARD, MR BOGART, ABLE FRIEND BEAUTY ONLY, HELENE PARAGON, MAURICE, SECRET WEAPON, MR STUNNING, MERION, PAKISTAN STAR, EAGLE WAY, SANTA FE SUN revealed no apparent abnormality.



4.

Racing Laboratory tests of SLEDGE HAMMER, GIDDY GIDDY, DRAGON HARMONY, FAITHFUL BOY, MONEY BOY, FOREVER ACCURATE, HOT HOT PEPPER, ELITE SPIRIT, FLYING GODSPELL, MASTER GOLD, FLYING MACHINE, D B PIN, FAIRY TWINS, WORLD RECORD, CARE FREE PRINCE, PEOPLE'S KNIGHT, RED MARVEL, SEASONS BLOOM, CALIFORNIA WHIP, ARCHIPPUS and TEAM FORTUNE (4.12.16) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 2: GAINFULJET on raceday afternoon on veterinary advice.



2.

Fine General: Trainer T P Yung (ELECTRONIC PHOENIX): $5,000 for breaching the Track Work Regulations.



3.

Reprimand Race 4: K C Leung (GENTILIS) for shifting out making the turn near the 1050 Metres.



4.

Warnings Race 5: C Y Ho (WISKY) for shifting out rounding the Home Turn.

Race 6: O Murphy (BRILLIANT DREAM) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages.

Race 8: H W Lai (TRUMP) re his riding in the early and middle stages.



5.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 8: TRUMP

6.

Barrier Trials Race 2: MANHATTAN STRIKER Race 6: STARTLING POWER Race 8: TRUMP

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: TOWERING STORM Race 2: GAINFULJET MANHATTAN STRIKER Race 3: INNOVATIVE WINNER Race 6: STARTLING POWER Race 8: AEROSPEED TRUMP