It was previously announced that the Stewards had received a request from Trainer David Ferraris for them to consider approving blinkers to be carried by PIKACHU at its future starts. Mr Ferraris submitted the request on the basis that after PIKACHU finished 4th on 23 November 2014, Jockey Neil Callan, who rode the horse that day, suggested adding blinkers to the horse’s gear as he felt this would assist the horse in concentrating in its races. Mr Ferraris said that he was reluctant to alter the horse’s gear at that time as the horse was racing consistently, however, at its most recent race start, PIKACHU shifted in close to the finishing line which resulted in Jockey Callan having to stop riding and straighten.
The Stewards advised Mr Ferraris that as PIKACHU had been successful at its most recent start and had won two of its last three race starts the horse would be required to participate satisfactorily in an Official Barrier Trial with blinkers on before the application would be decided upon.
In accordance with this direction, PIKACHU participated in two Official Barrier Trials (6 and 16 January 2015) during which the horse wore blinkers and was ridden on both occasions by Jockey Callan. Following those Official Barrier Trials Jockey Callan reported that the horse performed extremely well and that he was of the belief that PIKACHU was more focused with the addition of blinkers.
Mr Ferraris informed the Stewards that PIKACHU has pleased him in its trials and that if so approved it would be his intention for the horse to race in blinkers at its future starts.
After having considered the merits of Mr Ferraris’ application and after having viewed the manner in which the horse performed in the aforementioned Official Barrier Trials, the Stewards have approved for PIKACHU to wear blinkers in The Surrey Handicap (Race 10) at the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on 25 January 2015.
