Recap by phillip woo

Valiant Elegance led from a tricky gate and just had enough left in the tank after turning the final bend four lengths on top to land a betting move. He did place two back over this trip and was given an easy time in front. Fiery Diamond was closing with every stride after a box-seat run to make it close on the wire. He was able to build on a good debut effort last month. Flying On The Turf ran on steadily along the inside to finish a pleasing third in his first start following a lengthy injury-induced absence. Dragon Baby just plodded after a prominent run to finish next best without menacing the top-three. It wasn't a bad effort trying the dirt but is limited. Lucky Ruby weakened in the run to the wire after working hard from a wide draw to take the sit behind the leader. He's not far off a bottom on this surface. Smart Leader ran on without menacing from behind midfield. He's better on the turf. Early favourite Chiron came up one-paced after a one-off run in midfield in his initial run on the dirt. He's still a work in progress. Post-time favourite Pegasus Glory never fired a short after a rail run behind midfield. He's having trouble recapturing form in his three starts this season on both surfaces.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (228) - THE KOWLOON TONG CLUB TROPHY (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1200Meters

PEGASUS GLORY stumbled badly at the start and then became unbalanced after bumping with CHIRON.

This resulted in PEGASUS GLORY racing back in the field and CHIRON losing ground.

A veterinary inspection of PEGASUS GLORY immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils.

EUROMISSILE began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between FIERY DIAMOND and DRAGON BABY which, after being taken in by DURHAM STAR, then shifted in away from that horse.

VALIANT ELEGANCE shifted out at the start and bumped CELESTIAL WARRIOR.

Shortly after the start, CELESTIAL WARRIOR was momentarily steadied away from the heels of STREET SCREAM which shifted in.

Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, DURHAM STAR travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover.

EUROMISSILE was left racing wide and without cover after the 800 Metres.

For the majority of the race, CELESTIAL WARRIOR travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, A Badel stated that he was instructed to ensure STREET SCREAM began well and then ride the horse where it was comfortable.

He said STREET SCREAM began very well and he immediately rode his mount along to take advantage of the manner in which the horse began.

He said despite being ridden along STREET SCREAM did not show as much early pace as he envisaged.

He said as he commenced to shift across to obtain a position closer to the rail, he received a call from the rider of CELESTIAL WARRIOR to his inside which indicated to him that he was not sufficiently clear of that horse to be able to continue shifting across.

He said he continued to ride his mount along, however, CELESTIAL WARRIOR was able to improve its position to be racing inside STREET SCREAM and therefore he did not believe it remained available to him to continue attempting to clear that horse as this, in his opinion, would have resulted in him having to make considerable use of STREET SCREAM.

He said he therefore elected to steady STREET SCREAM and obtain cover after the 1100 Metres.

He said when a number of horses continued to maintain their position inside STREET SCREAM after the 900 Metres, he had to steady STREET SCREAM for a considerable distance as the horse remained racing wide and without cover.

He added it was not until making the turn near the 700 Metres that he was able to shift STREET SCREAM across to race behind CELESTIAL WARRIOR, resulting in STREET SCREAM being positioned well back in the field.

He said after the 700 Metres he commenced to ride his mount along to improve his position, however, STREET SCREAM was one-paced in the Straight and finished off the race only fairly.

A Badel was told that his explanation would be reported, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have persisted in clearing CELESTIAL WARRIOR in the early stages which would have afforded him the opportunity to shift across with VALIANT ELEGANCE and obtain a trailing position behind the speed and in a more forward position than the horse was ultimately required to race in today.

After the race, R Maia stated that CHIRON did not feel comfortable racing on the All Weather surface today for the first occasion.

A veterinary inspection of CHIRON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PEGASUS GLORY, VALIANT ELEGANCE and FIERY DIAMOND were sent for sampling.