Recap by phillip woo

After a prominent run one off the fence, Crystal Powerful took control 80m out despite laying in badly and was able to land back-to-back wins despite a return to Class Four. Flying Phantom ran on nicely with two wider out to grab second after a one-off trip behind midfield. He's naturally coming to hand in his three starts. Super Elite found a couple too smart after working to the lead 150m out following a pace-stalking run outside Miracles. It was clearly his best run from nine starts. Cheong Fat was doing his best work late for fourth after a patient ride two from the rear. He's risky on a win line without a victory in eight starts but has found the line well for fourth in both starts this term. Dan Attack made good ground late down the outside to finish next best after settling second last from gate 10. It was an improved effort with the headgear removed and switch to the Valley. Multidarling had his chance after a box-seat run but only whacked on one-paced over the last 100m. He's struggled three times after a win. Favourite Shinkansen just held his ground after getting held up from the 300m to 150m travelling midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three : (345) - CLUB HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 NORDIC COMBINED (G015) H Bentley Near the 800 Metres lost ground when positioned tight to the inside of SHINKANSEN which shifted in before being corrected by its rider.

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

Horse No 2 YOUTH POWER (H358) K H Chan From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 3 TATTENHAM (H121) L Ferraris Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 4 BRAVE WITNESS (H425) L Hewitson Near the 150 Metres CRYSTAL POWERFUL shifted out whilst being ridden along and was then corrected by its rider A Atzeni.

Whist being corrected, CRYSTAL POWERFUL shifted in abruptly before again being corrected by A Atzeni, resulting in BRAVE WITNESS having to be checked.

A Atzeni was advised to exercise more care, however, the Stewards found that he had attempted to correct his mount when it shifted in.

Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when improving towards the heels of SUPER ELITE.

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

Horse No 5 FLYING PHANTOM (J086) B Avdulla Jumped only fairly.

In the middle stages raced keenly.

For some distance approaching the 600 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from SHINKANSEN.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 CHEONG FAT (H058) Z Purton Jumped awkwardly.

Shifted out passing the 300 Metres and made contact with DAN ATTACK.

Near the 150 Metres had some difficulty obtaining clear running when FLYING PHANTOM shifted out, resulting in CHEONG FAT then making contact with DAN ATTACK.

Horse No 7 MULTIDARLING (H148) H T Mo Near the 250 Metres became held up behind MIRACLES as that runner commenced to give ground.

Near the 150 Metres then raced in restricted room between MIRACLES and SUPER ELITE which shifted in slightly.

Horse No 8 SHINKANSEN (H277) K Teetan Jumped only fairly and then in the early stages raced tight to the inside of BRAVE WITNESS which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.

Near the 1000 Metres was then steadied when BRAVE WITNESS shifted in and away from MULTIDARLING when positioned tight to the inside of that runner.

Over the concluding stages raced tight to the inside of TATTENHAM.

After the race, K Teetan reported that his mount raced keenly when positioned amongst other runners in the middle stages and finished the race off only fairly.

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

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 DAN ATTACK (H317) A Hamelin From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 300 Metres was bumped by CHEONG FAT which shifted out.

Near the 100 Metres was hampered when taken out by CHEONG FAT.

Horse No 10 MIRACLES (G083) K C Leung After the race, K C Leung reported that his mount raced keenly in the lead and in retrospect may be better suited by being ridden with cover as it performed well when ridden this way at its most recent start.

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

Horse No 11 CRYSTAL POWERFUL (H068) A Atzeni Bumped shortly after the start.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No TOP TOP TEA (H048) Y L Chung The Stewards tonight inquired into the circumstances regarding the inadvertent treatment of TOP TOP TEA which was withdrawn from this race on 16.1.24 by order of the Stewards.

Evidence was taken from Mr C H Yip, the trainer of TOP TOP TEA, Mr M H Chan, assistant trainer, and Mr C L Yip, head lad allocated to Mr Yip's stable.

It was ascertained that TOP TOP TEA was inadvertently treated with an anti-ulcer medication and as that treatment was inside the recommended withdrawal period for the medication, the Stewards acceded to a request from Mr C H Yip for the horse to be withdrawn.

It was subsequently ascertained that Mr C L Yip inadvertently treated TOP TOP TEA despite there being a number of measures in place to ensure that the horse was not treated given that it had been declared to race.

Mr C H Yip was fined the sum of $20,000 after pleading guilty to a breach of Rule 51 as he failed to fulfil his responsibility under the Rules by allowing TOP TOP TEA to be treated in contravention of the recognized withholding period for the anti-ulcer medication.

Before being allowed to race again, TOP TOP TEA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.