Racing Incident Report

After being loaded, ENTRUSTING became fractious and reared, resulting in its rider, C Schofield being dislodged. In this incident, the hood/visor and bridle carried by ENTRUSTING came loose. Whilst this gear was refitted to ENTRUSTING, the horse stood quietly in the barriers. After the gear was reapplied, ENTRUSTING was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. C Schofield was examined by the Club’s medical officers and passed fit to fulfil his riding engagement. Having regard to ENTRUSTING’s previous record, the Stewards ruled that the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start.
ENTRUSTING blundered badly at the start.
SIR JOHN and DIAMOND FRIENDS bumped at the start.
TRENDY WORLD lost its left front plate shortly after the start.
From a wide barrier, IMPERIAL CONCORDE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.
SIR JOHN lost its right front plate approaching the winning post on the first occasion.
Making the turn near the 700 Metres, LET ME DO shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of DASHING SUPER which became unbalanced.
Approaching the 400 Metres, BUDDY BUDDIES and CHEERFUL FAME raced tight and then approaching the 300 Metres CHEERFUL FRAME was steadied when crowded outside BUDDY BUDDIES which was taken out marginally by IMPERIAL CONCORDE.
Approaching the 200 Metres, SIR JOHN and LET ME DO bumped.
When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he had been asked to ride LET ME DO positively and obtain a position behind the speed as it was expected that a number of runners would go forward to contest the lead which would afford LET ME DO a good trailing position with cover. He said in the early stages he rode his mount along in accordance with his instructions and passing the winning post on the first occasion he immediately attempted to steady LET ME DO and obtain a trailing position behind SIR JOHN and in advance of HO LEE HORSE. He said at this time there was not sufficient room to shift in behind SIR JOHN, however, he observed that TRENDY WORLD was being ridden along from a wide barrier and therefore he continued to steady LET ME DO in the hope that TRENDY WORLD would be able to clear LET ME DO and race outside SIR JOHN which would provide LET ME DO with cover albeit in a three wide position. He said however that when he endeavoured to steady LET ME DO, it commenced to prove difficult to settle after the 1500 Metres and particularly passing the 1400 Metres, therefore he was not able to have the horse relax. He said when TRENDY WORLD improved to be racing outside and in advance of LET ME DO, this had the effect of firing up LET ME DO which further compounded the difficulties he was experiencing having LET ME DO to steady. He added although he was aware the tempo of the race was commencing to become quite fast, the racing manners of LET ME DO would not allow him to come back and relieve some of the pressure that was being applied to the tempo of the race. He said given the manner in which LET ME DO was racing after the 1200 Metres, he felt it was best to discontinue trying to restrain that horse and allow LET ME DO to improve its position in the hope that the rider of SIR JOHN would steady and he would be able to cross and obtain the position one horse off the rail outside DASHING SUPER. He further stated he had noted that SIR JOHN had on occasions been ridden behind the speed and he had hoped that this would occur when he was not able to steady LET ME DO. He said however that SIR JOHN continued to hold its position and consequently LET ME DO was required to race three wide until after the 900 Metres at which time he was able to cross in front of that horse. Trainer D J Hall stated that as LET ME DO was having its first start on the All Weather track, he asked Jockey Yeung to ride the horse in the front half of the field as he expected that the race would be run at a good tempo with a number of anticipated speed horses. He said he was disappointed in Jockey Yeung’s riding of LET ME DO from approaching the winning post on the first occasion. He said he felt that there was an opportunity to either attempt to shift behind SIR JOHN or to steady LET ME DO and obtain a trailing position behind TRENDY WORLD. He added in the circumstances he felt that M L Yeung should have done more to steady LET ME DO than he did on this occasion in order to execute his riding instructions. Mr Hall was advised that his evidence would be reported. M L Yeung was severely reprimanded regarding his riding of LET ME DO in the early and middle stages. He was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had made an effort to steady LET ME DO passing the winning post on the first occasion, given his instructions and the fact that TRENDY WORLD was improving around LET ME DO, he should have made a far greater effort than he did to steady LET ME DO. M L Yeung was told to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to leave no room for query.
When questioned regarding his riding of TRENDY WORLD in the early and middle stages, K C Leung stated that he had been asked to obtain the lead if possible, however, if he was not able to do so, he should take a trailing position. He said on jumping TRENDY WORLD stumbled and he then rode his mount along for some distance in the run to the winning post on the first occasion as it was apparent to him that the rider of LET ME DO, which was positioned to the inside of TRENDY WORLD, was looking to steady his mount and therefore he continued to press on in order to cross that horse. He said he was aware that SIR JOHN had on occasions been ridden with cover at the distance and therefore he felt that after being able to cross LET ME DO, he may be able to then cross SIR JOHN which would allow TRENDY WORLD the opportunity to race outside DASHING SUPER. He added LET ME DO maintained its position inside TRENDY WORLD as that horse was not able to be steadied to take a trailing position. He said as he was racing in a four wide position, he continued forward of that horse after the 1200 Metres, however, approaching the 1000 Metres it became apparent that LET ME DO was going to continue to race to the inside of TRENDY WORLD and for this reason he then restrained the horse in an attempt to obtain a position with cover. He said when LET ME DO pressed on to improve to race outside the lead, TRENDY WORLD was then left racing wide and without cover and commenced to give ground from after the 800 Metres. Trainer L Ho stated that as TRENDY WORLD was having its first start on the All Weather track today and was stepping up in distance, he felt that there was an opportunity for TRENDY WORLD to obtain a forward position hopefully on the rail but in any case outside DASHING SUPER. He added he anticipated that SIR JOHN may be ridden with cover so he felt that, in the circumstances, it would be likely that TRENDY WORLD would be able to go forward without having too much use made of it. He said he did not anticipate that LET ME DO would be part of the speed equation and given the circumstances of the race in the early stages and the endeavour that K C Leung had made to follow his instructions in the early stages, he was satisfied with his riding of the horse. Mr Ho was advised that his evidence would be reported. K C Leung was told that the Stewards believed it was reasonable for him, given his instructions, to attempt to obtain a forward position and that it was also reasonable for him to have expected either LET ME DO or SIR JOHN to be steadied to allow TRENDY WORLD to race outside the lead. However, he was told that the Stewards would have expected him to be more aware of the circumstances of the race approaching the 1200 Metres and to have steadied his mount earlier than he did in order to attempt to obtain a position off the speed. The performance of TRENDY WORLD, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, TRENDY WORLD will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.
IMPERIAL CONCORDE and DIAMOND FRIENDS were sent for sampling.