Recap by phillip woo

Focus made his run in second behind the runaway leader Polymer Luck from a wide gate, assumed the lead 200m out and kept on gamely to land a betting move. It was a return to form with a step up in distance with the blinkers removed. Electric Lightning ran on well near the inside to grab second 50m out after a patient ride fourth from the rear. It was his best run in a while but he was stepping out of a career low in the rating. Happy Warrior closed nicely three from the right after a one-off run behind midfield to fill a placing. Royal Racer ran on steadily near the inside to snatch fourth. He rarely produced a bad run over this Valley trip. Favourite Charity Grand wasn't too far off the placings in the end after making his run one-off fore of midfield. It was only his third run back from a long lay off . Let's Take It Easy came to win this race mid-stretch but came up one-paced over the final 100m following a prominent run on the fence in blinkers for the first time.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (556) - YIU TUNG HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

MY FAMILY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of FOCUS which became unbalanced.

After travelling a short distance, MY FAMILY (V Borges) lost ground when crowded for room between FOCUS which shifted in after becoming unbalanced and VITAL SPRING which was taken out by SOCKET ELITE.

In this incident, V Borges' foot slipped from his left stirrup iron which he was able to regather near the 1600 Metres.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SOCKET ELITE was steadied away from the heels of FOCUS which was steadied when crowded for room between HAPPY WARRIOR which shifted out and FOCUS which was taken in by POLYMER LUCK (Apprentice C Wong) which, when being ridden along, hung in.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that POLYMER LUCK was laying in and proving difficult to ride, nonetheless Apprentice Wong was told that, in their opinion, he could have done more to assist the runners to his inside at this time and for that reason he was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Approaching the 1500 Metres, ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was steadied when crowded for room between CHARITY GRAND and HAPPY WARRIOR (N Callan) which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to ELECTRIC LIGHTENING.

N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

When ELECTRIC LIGHTNING was steadied, INDIGENOUS STAR, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

After the 1000 Metres, ROYAL RACER got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of CHARITY GRAND.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, ROYAL RACER and CHARITY GRAND raced tight.

Approaching the 400 Metres, INDIGENOUS STAR was steadied away from the heels of ELECTRIC LIGHTNING which was taken in marginally by SOCKET ELITE as that horse gave ground.

Passing the 50 Metres, LET'S TAKE IT EASY shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CHARITY GRAND which became unbalanced.

Then close to the finishing line, CHARITY GRAND was shifted out away from the heels of FOCUS.

Throughout the race, SOCKET ELITE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.

When questioned, Apprentice C Wong (POLYMER LUCK) stated that he had to ride his mount hard for a considerable distance in the early stages from the outside barrier to obtain a forward position.

He said it was not until after the 1400 Metres that he was able to clear FOCUS and obtain the lead.

He said because of the amount of work that he had to do to clear FOCUS and the distance that it took POLYMER LUCK to be in a positon to obtain the lead, he was unaware that he had opened up a significant break over FOCUS which was racing behind POLYMER LUCK.

He said after the race he was surprised at the sectionals of the race particularly after the 1200 Metres as he felt that POLYMER LUCK was travelling comfortably in the lead whilst being unaware of the lead that the horse had established.

Apprentice Wong was advised that, given the number of rides that he had had in Hong Kong and overseas, his failure to be aware of the fast tempo of the race and the lead that he had established over FOCUS was of concern to the Stewards.

He was told that as a senior apprentice jockey, he should be aware of the tempo that he is setting in races and therefore he was reprimanded and advised of the necessity to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner that they are able to finish off their race as best as they can in the circumstances.

After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that INDIGENOUS STAR had sustained a minor wound to the left front cannon.

A veterinary inspection of MY FAMILY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

A veterinary inspection of FUN TIMES and SOCKET ELITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

CHARITY GRAND, FOCUS and ELECTRIC LIGHTNING were sent for sampling.