Recap by phillip woo

Firming favourite Rewarding Together was too smart after hitting the front 200m out following a pace-stalking run from gate three. He's now won back-to-back under Matthew Chadwick despite a rise in class. Well-backed Astrologer ran on well after a oneoff trip better than midfield to grab second 100m out. It was another good effort carrying top weight. Jolly Good Heart found a couple too smart after showing his usual blazing early speed to lead from gate one. He makes his own luck in front. Gold Marquis ran on nicely after biding his time towards the rear to fill the frame. He's acclimatising nicely after a debut third over the Valley 1,000m. Colonel just held his ground after a box-seat run. He's a more reliable prospect in Class Four. A Smile Like Yours held his ground after a two-to-three deep run in a prominent spot. He's finding things harder in his past two starts after winning four of eight other outings this term. Meridian Genius ran on without menacing down the outside after biding his time deep towards the rear. He didn't get the tempo to suit. California Sky never landed a blow after a wide run with cover worse than midfield. The change in tactics backfired after a front-running fourth on debut.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (374) - BREEZY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

CALIFORNIA SKY shifted out at the start and bumped GOLD MARQUIS which in turn shifted out and inconvenienced MERIDIAN GENIUS.

After this, from a wide barrier, GOLD MARQUIS was steadied and shifted across behind runners.

From the outside barrier, STOCK LEGEND was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

Near the 1050 Metres, after being shifted to the inside of ASTROLOGER, TURIN WARRIOR raced tight inside that horse which got its head on the side and lay in when being ridden along.

Passing the 1000 Metres, STOCK LEGEND was checked when crowded for room inside GOLD MARQUIS (B Shinn) which, when being steadied to obtain cover behind DECISIVE TWELVE, got its head on the side and shifted in further.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that the racing manners of GOLD MARQUIS at this time by laying in had contributed to this incident, nonetheless B Shinn was reprimanded and told to exercise due care when shifting ground to ensure that he does not cause interference to other runners.

Also passing the 1000 Metres, COLONEL got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of JOLLY GOOD HEART.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, TURIN WARRIOR raced tight inside ASTROLOGER which again got its head on the side and lay in.

GOLD MARQUIS, which was following TURIN WARRIOR, made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of DECISIVE TWELVE.

In the early part of the Straight, GOLD MARQUIS got its head on the side and lay in under pressure.

Throughout the race, H Z TOURBILLON (M F Poon) travelled very wide and without cover and rounding the Home Turn stumbled.

After the race, M F Poon reported that after stumbling, he became concerned regarding the action of H Z TOURBILLON and for this reason he eased the horse down in the Home Straight.

A veterinary inspection of H Z TOURBILLON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Before being allowed to race again, H Z TOURBILLON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Throughout the race, A SMILE LIKE YOURS also travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, C Y Ho stated that he was instructed to obtain a midfield position with cover on DECISIVE TWELVE as it was considered that tonight's race would be run at a good tempo given that there were a number of runners engaged which have previously taken up forward positions in their races.

He said in accordance with his instructions he steadied DECISIVE TWELVE in the early stages to obtain cover behind ASTROLOGER which was being ridden along after the 1100 Metres.

He said DECISIVE TWELVE travelled keenly for some distance after the 1000 Metres, however, settled better after the 800 Metres.

He added that DECISIVE TWELVE, a horse which he knows well, appeared to be reluctant to race amongst runners tonight as the horse did not want to stretch out rounding the Home Turn when racing between TURIN WARRIOR and CALIFORNIA SKY.

He said because of DECISIVE TWELVE's reluctance to stretch out when racing in amongst horses, he believed that this was the reason for the horse's failure to finish the race off.

Mr W Y So, the trainer of DECISIVE TWELVE, will be interviewed regarding the instructions provided to Jockey Ho tonight prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 30 January 2022.

After the race, K Teetan stated that CALIFORNIA SKY, which was having only its second race start in Hong Kong tonight, raced greenly throughout and after coming under pressure prior to the 500 Metres did not finish the race off as anticipated.

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

REWARDING TOGETHER and ASTROLOGER were sent for sampling.

---

GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 1, the track classification was officially changed from "Good??to "Good to Firm?? This change in the opinion of the Stewards should be recorded as being retrospective.

As a consequence of this, the official results will show Race 1 being run on a track rated "Good to Firm??

2.

Additional Veterinary Report from 23 January 2022 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 10 (365) The Veterinary Surgeon subsequently reported that PEGASUS HERO had sustained a left front tendon injury after racing.

Before being allowed to race again, PEGASUS HERO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

3.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of EL VALIENTE, RUN DES RUN, GOLDEN EMPIRE, STREET SCREAM, ALL JOYFUL, APACHE PASS, SUN OF MAKFI, LIGHTNING BOLT, THE HULK, WAR OF COURAGE, EN POINTE, CHEERFUL LEADER, TURQUOISE ALPHA, CORDYCEPS TWO, LEADING FORTUNE, CHANCHENG PRINCE, ROMANTIC COMBO, KING'S CAPITAL, SIGHT SPIRIT, CAPTAIN WIN, CALIFORNIA SPANGLE, TRILLION WIN, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and LUCKY WITH YOU (16.1.22) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Fine Race 1: J Moreira (BRILLIANT FORTUNE): $2,000 for initially presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number.

2.

Reprimands Race 4: C L Chau (SPEED FAY FAY) for shifting in after the 300 Metres.

Race 9: B Shinn (GOLD MARQUIS) for shifting in passing the 1000 Metres.

3.

Warnings Race 3: K Teetan (SUNNY AND GOLD) for shifting out rounding the Home Turn.

Race 4: H Bentley (COURAGEOUS KNIGHT) for shifting in after the 300 Metres.

Race 5: C Y Ho (LAPUTA) for shifting out near the 250 Metres.

V Borges (SUPER RED DRAGON) re his riding in the middle stages.

Race 8: V Borges (LEAP OF FAITH) for shifting in at the entrance to the Straight.

4.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 2: CASA KINGDOM

5.

Barrier Trials Race 2: CASA KINGDOM Race 9: H Z TOURBILLON

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2: CASA KINGDOM Race 9: H Z TOURBILLON General: PEGASUS HERO

7.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C+3 Course

8.

Rolling Arrangement Rolling after race 5 was cancelled due to weather condition.