Recap by phillip woo

Loyal Baby kept on gamely slipping away by two lengths rounding the final bend after surging to the lead three wide 850m out for a second career win over this course and distance. Amazing One Plus just outdashed Storm Legend with one wider out for second from behind midfield. He is always a chance over this Valley trip. Storm Legend came on nicely down the outside from near last to nearly take second. He has trouble winning but it was another honest performance. Comet Splendido ran on steadily for fourth without menacing the top three following a rail run in midfield. The big weight took its toll. Maldives was doing his best work late when the race was all but over after making his run one from the rear. It was a typical effort this season. Winning Dragon whacked on one paced, straightening two from the right after a handy run one off the fence. He was anchored by the top weight after back-to-back wins. Win Win Fighter ran on without menacing along the inside, travelling five back on the fence. He failed to hold his own yet again at this level following a Class Four win.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (289) - LUK WU HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

AMAZING ONE PLUS shifted out on jumping and bumped SUPER DYNAMITE which then became unbalanced when crowded for room inside TRADER.

In this incident, AMAZING ONE PLUS also became unbalanced MALDIVES was steadied in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail.

Also from the outside barriers, STORM LEGEND and MASTER DELIGHT were steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

After the 1400 Metres, LOYAL BABY was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1100 Metres was allowed to improve its position into the lead passing the 900 Metres.

COMET SPLENDIDO was held up for clear running approaching and rounding the Home Turn.

Passing the 300 Metres, AMAZING ONE PLUS shifted out and bumped STORM LEGEND when improving into tight running outside SUPER DYNAMITE.

STORM LEGEND and AMAZING ONE PLUS then raced tight approaching the 250 Metres as AMAZING ONE PLUS was taken out by SUPER DYNAMITE.

Approaching the 150 Metres, MALDIVES was shifted out away from the heels of THE RUNNER.

MALDIVES then raced tight between THE RUNNER and WINNING DRAGON passing the 100 Metres.

After the race, K Teetan (EXCEPTIONAL NICE) stated that once LOYAL BABY improved around EXCEPTIONAL NICE near the 900 Metres, his mount immediately came under pressure and despite riding his mount along he was unable to prevent being crossed by LOYAL BABY approaching the 500 Metres.

He said after this EXCEPTIONAL NICE came under heavy pressure and then in the Straight did not finish the race off.

A veterinary inspection of EXCEPTIONAL NICE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer??which had previously been reported.

The performance of EXCEPTIONAL NICE, a winner of its two previous races, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, EXCEPTIONAL NICE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

COMET SPLENDIDO, LOYAL BABY and AMAZING ONE PLUS were sent for sampling.

---

GENERAL:

1.

Race 9 was put back 5 minutes.

2.

Addition to Racing Incidents Report of 24 December 2022 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 6 (276) Near the 250 Metres, A Hamelin (WONDER YEARS) dropped his whip.

3.

24 December 2022 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 5 (275) The Stewards tonight inquired into the circumstances which led to NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE being a pre-declaration withdrawal on 22 December 2022 from the Sha Tin racemeeting on 24 December 2022 due to inadvertent treatment.

Interviewed were Mr J Richards, trainer of NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE, Mr P C Ma, assistant trainer allocated to Mr Richards' stable for the current racing season, and Mr K T Kwan, head lad.

Mr Richards was fined the sum of $10,000 in that as the person responsible for the work of stable staff allocated to him, NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE was inadvertently treated with an anti-ulcer medication on 22 December 2022.

Mr Kwan was also advised that a report into this matter would be forwarded to Stables Management for their consideration.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 5: CHIU CHOW BROTHER on raceday morning on veterinary advice.

Race 8: NABOO LEGEND on raceday morning on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Changes As Jockey H N Wong tested positive to COVID-19 on 26 December 2022, he was stood down from riding with the Stewards approving the following riding substitutions: Race 3: C Wong on FARSHAD Race 5: M L Yeung on SMILING MOON

3.

Fine General: Trainer J Richards (NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE): $10,000 for the horse being inadvertently treated.

4.

Reprimand Race 8: Apprentice Y L Chung (CALIFORNIA CIBLE) for shifting out passing the 200 Metres, near the 75 Metres and close to the finishing line.

5.

Warnings Race 2: M L Yeung (NEARLY FINE) for shifting out passing the 200 Metres.

Race 4: Z Purton (TRONIC MIGHTY) for shifting out near the 25 Metres.

M F Poon (CIRCUIT SPLENDOR) re his riding close to the finishing line.

Race 6: M F Poon (V CHEVALIERS) re his riding in the Straight.



6.

Stewards' Inquiry & Protest/Objection Race 8

7.

Stalls Test Race 5: BILLIONAIRE SECRET

8.

Barrier Trial Race 9: EXCEPTIONAL NICE

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: MOONLUCK Race 5: CHIU CHOW BROTHER Race 6: BIG TWO Race 8: NABOO LEGEND EXCELLENT DADDY Race 9: EXCEPTIONAL NICE

10.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C+3 Course

11.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after race

5.