Recap by phillip woo

Gorgeous Win won eased down after coasting to the lead near the 200m following a prominent run on the fence for a second-up win. He lived up to strong debut third last month and there's clearly plenty more to come from the three-year-old. Newcomer Storm Rider ran on nicely to easily take second after a rail from midfield. He lived up to his trials and should be winning in no time. Lucky Planet closed off well to fill a placing after a one-off trip from behind midfield. He can bob up at any moment after running well to fill the frame in his past three 1,200m starts across both tracks. Spicy Gold finished well near the outside to spice up the Quartet after a patient ride fourth last from gate 14. It was a good effort on debut. Phoenix Light made headway late near the inside after settling behind midfield on the fence. It was a better effort following a gear change but he is well rated. Fighting Machine was held up for most the straight and should have finished closer after biding his time second last from gate 13.

Racing Incident Report

Race One : (232) - SILENT WITNESS HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 HAPPY GOLF (H056) J McDonald Near the 450 Metres was hampered when momentarily crowded by STROM RIDER which shifted out.

Horse No 2 HONG KONG HALL (G315) B Avdulla A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 3 PHOENIX LIGHT (G192) A Badel On arrival at the Start, it was noted that PHOENIX LIGHT had lost its left front plate.

PHOENIX LIGHT was replated, examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

Near the 300 Metres became held up on the heels of COPARTNER PRANCE and then was directed to the outside of that runner near the 250 Metres to secure clear running.

Horse No 4 COPARTNER PRANCE (H408) C Y Ho Lay in under pressure in the Home Straight when giving ground.

Horse No 5 FIGHTING MACHINE (J015) A Atzeni Noted to have sustained a small abrasion to the left front leg in the saddling stalls, examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

Bumped shortly after the start.

Near the 350 Metres was checked when crowded between HAPPY GOLF which shifted in slightly when improving to the inside of STORM RIDER and LUCKY PLANET (K Teetan) which shifted out whilst being ridden along, K Teetan was reprimanded.

When questioned regarding his riding, A Atzeni stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to obtain cover but expected to settle behind midfield.

He said in the early stages FIGHTING MACHINE did not travel strongly but near the 500 Metres commenced to improve and for this reason he was reluctant to immediately shift FIGHTING MACHINE to the outside as it commenced to travel well.

He said as a result he allowed FIGHTING MACHINE to improve to the inside and near the 350 Metres was checked when crowded between LUCKY PLANET and HAPPY GOLF.

He added that after shifting to the inside of LUCKY PLANET, he then became held up on the heels of COPARTNER PRANCE near the 200 Metres when that runner gave ground.

He further stated that after being shifted to the outside of COPARTNER PRANCE near the 150 Metres, he then continued to experience some difficulty obtaining clear running behind PHOENIX LIGHT and did not obtain clear running until near the 50 Metres when positioned to the outside of LUCKY PLANET.

Trainer P C Ng confirmed the instructions were to ride the horse conservatively in the early stages from a wide barrier and also confirmed that he had not issued any specific instructions in relation to improving to the outside in the Home Straight.

Mr Ng stated that whilst FIGHTING MACHINE had difficulty obtaining clear running in the Home Straight, he was satisfied with the riding of Jockey Atzeni.

After considering his explanation, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Atzeni were reasonable in the circumstances.

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

Horse No 6 GORGEOUS WIN (J008) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 JOYFUL SUPREME (H372) M L Yeung Noted to have bled from both nostrils after the race.

Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL SUPREME will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 8 PATCH OF TIME (H483) C Soumillon Jumped awkwardly.

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

Horse No 9 SPICY GOLD (H440) L Hewitson SPICY GOLD, which was having its first race start, made the Home Turn awkwardly and raced greenly when placed under pressure in the Home Straight and over the concluding stages lay in.

Horse No 10 STORM RIDER (J027) K C Leung Bumped shortly after the start.

When questioned regarding his riding on the Home Turn and the reason he elected to shift out, K C Leung stated that when he had identified HONG KONG HALL and ROUND THE GLOBE were under pressure, he elected to shift out to follow the favourite GORGEOUS WIN which was travelling well at that stage.

He added whilst he was aware there was room available to improve to the inside of that runner, he felt that STORM RIDER would be advantaged by obtaining clear running to the outside.

The Stewards found the tactics adopted were reasonable.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 11 TEXAS MOON (G073) C L Chau A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 12 ROUND THE GLOBE (H146) M Barzalona When giving ground over the final 200 Metres lay in and proved difficult to ride out.

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

Horse No 13 LUCKY PLANET (H235) K Teetan Jumped awkwardly and then was bumped shortly after the start.

Near the 900 Metres was steadied when crowded between STORM RIDER and HAPPY GOLF which shifted in and away from PATCH OF TIME after being taken in slightly by that runner.

In this incident, PATCH OF TIME was corrected by its rider C Soumillon.

Near the 250 Metres was hampered when crowded between HAPPY GOLF and PHOENIX LIGHT which was shifted to the outside of COPARTNER PRANCE to secure clear running.

Horse No 14 CHIU CHOW BROTHER (E188) M Chadwick Bumped on jumping.