Recap by phillip woo

Drifting in betting, Inventor zipped across the field at the 600m to challenge California Joy for the lead at the 450m and gained the upper hand in the shadows of the post for a second win this term. He does seem to raise his game under Nash Rawiller. California Joy jumped alertly to dictate the running and was just nipped on the wire. He's returned to top form in his past two runs over this Valley trip and remains one to follow. Beauty Prince was unlucky not to have gone closer when failing to gain a clear run over the final 150m after landing a one-off spot behind the leader. He continues to run well in defeat on both surfaces and will be winning again shortly. The Sylph just out-finished favourite Giant Turtle following a handy run along the fence to grab fourth. He's on his mark and will need the handicapper to help out. Giant Turtle wasn't far off the placings following a oneout, one-back run but did have his chance. It was a respectable first run back in the grade following back-to-back wins in Class Four. Look Eras made some ground without menacing following a one-off run worse than midfield in his first try over the Valley 1,650m. He's still open to a bit more improvement.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (389)-MUT WAH HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Metres

Just prior to the start, SENSATION became fractious and then as the start was effected began awkwardly and in doing so shifted out and bumped WUSHU CHAMPION which began awkwardly.

This resulted in SENSATION losing ground.

LOOK ERAS shifted in on jumping and was bumped by GIANT TURTLE which was taken out by CALIFORNIA JOY.

ART OF RAW began only fairly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of BEAUTY PRINCE.

From the outside barrier, INVENTOR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, THE SYLPH got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to allow CALIFORNIA JOY to cross.

Near the 650 Metres, RUBY COAST was taken wider by GIANT TURTLE which shifted out.

Passing the 400 Metres, THE SYLPH was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY PRINCE which was racing tight inside INVENTOR.

Rounding the Home Turn, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT raced tight between RUBY COAST and SENSATION which shifted out after being very awkwardly placed close to the heels of LOOK ERAS.

Passing the 250 Metres, SENSATION, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT and RUBY COAST raced tight between WUSHU CHAMPION and LOOK ERAS which shifted out marginally before being corrected by its rider.

Passing the 200 Metres, GIANT TURTLE shifted in and bumped THE SYLPH.

For a short distance after this, THE SYLPH and GIANT TURTLE raced tight.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the opinion that an incident over about the final 100 Metres cast doubt on whether INVENTOR should be declared the winner.

The Stewards found that whilst BEAUTY PRINCE raced tight inside INVENTOR which lay in after the 250 Metres, this did not have any impact on the finishing positions of the horses.

It was further found that at the 100 Metres BEAUTY PRINCE shifted out to improve into tight running between CALIFORNIA JOY and INVENTOR and in doing so brushed INVENTOR.

INVENTOR and BEAUTY PRINCE then raced tight until close to the finishing line at which time BEAUTY PRINCE was crowded for room between CALIFORNIA JOY and INVENTOR (N Rawiller).

However, in the circumstances, having regard to the fact that the principal crowding occurring close to the finishing line and also the margins between the horses at the end of the race, the Stewards did not proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing.

Whilst it had no bearing on the Stewards' final decision, it should be noted that Z Purton did not enter a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of BEAUTY PRINCE.

N Rawiller was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Apprentice K K Chiong stated that from its wide barrier she had been asked to ride RUBY COAST in a position midfield or in front of midfield.

RUBY COAST was left racing wide and without cover after the 1200 Metres and then in the Straight gave ground.

The Stewards will interview Mr K L Man, trainer of RUBY COAST, prior to the first race at Sha Tin on Sunday, 5 February 2017.

A veterinary inspection of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

INVENTOR and CALIFORNIA JOY were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

30 January 2017 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 11 (381) After reviewing the video footage for the racemeeting conducted on Monday, 30 January 2017 as is usual, the Stewards tonight questioned J Moreira regarding his riding of PRAWN BABA.

J Moreira stated that he had been instructed to ride PRAWN BABA positively in the early stages and assume the lead if possible.

He said PRAWN BABA began only fairly and he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed.

He said DEJA VU, which was drawn inside PRAWN BABA, and BRING IT ON, which began from the barrier immediately outside PRAWN BABA, both showed superior speed to PRAWN BABA despite not being ridden along.

He said he formed the opinion that both these horses would clearly show more speed than PRAWN BABA and that it would not be in the interests of PRAWN BABA to continue to be hard ridden as he did not feel that the horse was showing the amount of early speed necessary to be able to go forward without having to be unduly used up.

He said he therefore elected to discontinue pushing the horse along and obtain cover which he was able to do in the early stages.

He said he was able to obtain cover behind JADE FORTUNE after the 1200 Metres and the horse travelled comfortably in this position albeit three wide.

He added despite the race being run at a slow tempo, PRAWN BABA relaxed well and did not over-race.

He said he was aware that PRAWN BABA is somewhat one-paced and for this reason he shifted the horse to the outside of JADE FORTUNE and commenced to improve his position prior to the 500 Metres so as to prevent the horse from being left flat-footed when the pace quickened.

He said PRAWN BABA became unbalanced rounding the Home Turn when bumped by JADE FORTUNE and again made contact with that horse passing the 400 Metres which resulted in PRAWN BABA becoming unbalanced.

He said he commenced to ride the horse vigorously hands and heels but was reluctant to use the whip on the horse in the early part of the Straight as PRAWN BABA was unbalanced and JADE FORTUNE was racing tight to the inside of PRAWN BABA which approaching the 300 Metres then had FRIENDS OF NANJING improving around it.

He said PRAWN BABA did not initially quicken, however, he used the whip on the horse down the shoulder in the right hand near the 250 Metres on a number of occasions and PRAWN BABA continued to finish off the race at one speed.

He said the horse was obliged to race in amongst other runners over about the final 200 Metres which resulted in him not being able to fully test PRAWN BABA with the whip which he otherwise would have done.

J Moreira was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have persevered for longer than he did in the early stages to take up a forward position given his instructions, the makeup of the field and the likely tempo of the race.

He was also advised that his explanations regarding his riding of the horse, particularly in the Home Straight would be noted.



2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 30 January 2017 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of TREASURE AND GOLD, FRIENDS FOREVER, SPICY KAKA, MAGNETISM, BEAUTY LOVE, TERRIFIC MASTER, XINJIANG YARN, PENIAPHOBIA, LUCKY BUBBLES, DARING FIT, ALL MY GAIN, MR STUNNING, ARCHIPPUS, CITRON SPIRIT, REGENCY BO BO, INVINCIBLE DRAGON, RACING SUPERNOVA, HELENE PARAGON, JOYFUL TRINITY, MOMENTUM LUCKY, LUCKY WAN FENG, SUPER SIXTEEN, BOOMING DELIGHT and FRIENDS OF NANJING revealed no apparent abnormality.



3.

Racing Laboratory tests of MERRYGOWIN, KEEP MOVING, CITY LEGEND, RIGHT CALL, RATTAN, KING WINSA, STRIKING STAR, MASSIVE POWER, NOTHINGILIKEMORE, HIGH VOLATILITY, CONTRIBUTION, RED ELYSEES, GREAT TREASURE, ACE KING, SUPER WISE, DINOZZO, HAPPY PLACE, LUCKY EVER, D B PIN, RAPPER DRAGON, SEASONS BLOOM, HOUSE OF FUN, MR POTENTIAL and MONGOLIAN KING (22.1.17) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 2: GLAMOROUS RYDER on 1.2.17 on veterinary advice.



2.

Riding Changes After Race 1, C Y Ho was stood down by the Club's medical officers and accordingly permission was given for the following riding substitutions:- Race 2: Apprentice K K Chiong on VIVACIOUS WINNER Race 6: M L Yeung on LET'S TAKE IT EASY Race 8: K C Ng on ART OF RAW

3.

Warnings Race 2: J Moreira (LOYAL CRAFTSMAN) for shifting in passing the 2100 Metres.

S Clipperton (MALAYAN PEARL) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages.

Race 5: Apprentice K K Chiong (BUDDY BUNDY) for shifting out shortly after the start.

H W Lai (RAY OF GOLD) for shifting out at the entrance to the Straight.

Race 8: N Rawiller (INVENTOR) for shifting in close to the finishing line.

General: J Moreira (PRAWN BABA) re his riding in the early stages.



4.

Stewards' Inquiry Race 8

5.

Barrier Trials Race 1: DOUBLE DOUBLE Race 2: LOYAL CRAFTSMAN SWEET BEAN

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: DOUBLE DOUBLE BEAR CHUM Race 2: GLAMOROUS RYDER LOYAL CRAFTSMAN SWEET BEAN