The Stewards have interviewed Trainer P F Yiu regarding his application to add a tongue tie to the gear carried by VOYAGE WARRIOR, a declared starter in the stated race.  VOYAGE WARRIOR was successful at its most recent start in Hong Kong on 23 June 2019 when carrying a ring bit only.  Also interviewed was Jockey Z Purton who rode the horse in a barrier trial at Sha Tin on 4 October 2019.

Mr Yiu explained that when resuming training for the commencement of the current racing season VOYAGE WARRIOR, which was big in condition, made a slight breathing noise which prompted him to add a tongue tie to the horse’s gear.  He said VOYAGE WARRIOR had worn a tongue tie in all of its subsequent track work and also in the barrier trial on 4 October 2019 and since been fitted with this gear, the horse had not made any further respiratory noise.  He said in light of this and the horse’s barrier trial victory on 4 October 2019, he felt that it was beneficial for VOYAGE WARRIOR to carry this gear when it resumes racing at Sha Tin on 12 October 2019.

Jockey Purton advised the Stewards that the only occasion on which he had ridden VOYAGE WARRIOR during this preparation was in the barrier trial and confirmed that the horse had not made any breathing noise.

Having considered Mr Yiu’s and Jockey Purton’s submissions, the Stewards acceded to Mr Yiu’s request for a tongue tie to be added to VOYAGE WARRIOR in this race.