Recap by phillip woo

Fingers Crossed took control 60m out after his midfield run one off the fence to land his first win on his 13th start. He relished his return to the C&D of his runner-up result in May. Soaring Tower ran on nicely near the outside after slotting one off the rail behind midfield from gate 11 to finish a close-up second. He was well handicapped back over his preferred 1,200m at Sha Tin. Well-backed late, I Give gave way after dictating the run from barrier seven. He should find his mark in this grade soon. Favourite Vamos peaked on his run shortly after hitting the front 120m from home. He disappointed his supporters after getting every opportunity. Valhalla made some ground from midfield to finish the next best. It was a long way back to Miracles, who was stopping 100m out after his pace-stalking run. He could not build on his last-start near miss over 1,400m. Little Player ran on without threatening the placegetters. The Jockey Club is likely to force him into retirement. Our Class Act only plodded after his one-out, one-back run.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (827) - MR AWARD HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

NOIR RIDER was withdrawn on 15.7.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality).

Before being allowed to race again, NOIR RIDER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

OUR CLASS ACT jumped awkwardly.

LITTLE PLAYER shifted out on jumping and bumped BELL OF VICTORY.

LITTLE PLAYER was then shifted across behind runners from a wide barrier in the early stages.

From the outside barrier, NORDIC COMBINED was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

BRILLIANT PIONEER raced ungenerously in the early stages.

Near the 900 Metres, FINGERS CROSSED was steadied when crowded between VAMOS and OUR CLASS ACT (H Bentley) which shifted in before being corrected by its rider.

H Bentley was advised to exercise care.

After the race, M F Poon (MIRACLES) reported that he was able to take up a position outside the lead in the early stages, but approaching the 200 Metres his mount commenced to give ground and weakened from that point.

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

A veterinary inspection of BRILLIANT PIONEER and NORDIC COMBINED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

VAMOS, FINGERS CROSSED and SOARING TOWER were sent for sampling.