Recap by phillip woo

Raging favourite Beauty Waves responded nicely to overhaul Harmony Fire in din the closing stages after tracking the leader one off the rail. It was an overdue win following a stable change after placing in four prior starts over 1,200m. Harmony Fire wouldn't go down without a fight after working to the front from gate 12. It was a good performance despite a return to Class Three following a win. Heroic Master ran on steadily for third after settling on the rail in midfield. He has very honest 1,000m form. Outsider Youthful Spirits stayed on much better for fourth without threatening the top three after stalking the pace. It was a much better effort after failing on his local debut over the straight 1,000m. Act Of Faith made headway late to finish next best after making his run four back on the fence. It was an OK effort trying the minimum trip for the first time. California Touch did make up some ground late after making his run one from the rear following a slow start. He might be one to keep safe soon in Class Four. Atomic Force faded after travelling wide without cover in midfield. He had an excuse.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven : (538) - HOK YUEN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Meters

Horse No 1 FLYING HIGH (E204) A Atzeni Shortly after the start was crowded when bumped by HAPPY UNITED.

Horse No 2 GREAT STATE (J124) K De Melo Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 3 ATOMIC FORCE (G221) K Teetan Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 4 HEROIC MASTER (G394) H Bowman Crowded on jumping.

Horse No 5 HAPPY UNITED (H208) L Hewitson Bumped shortly after the start.

After the race, L Hewitson could offer no explanation for his mount's disappointing performance.

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

The performance of HAPPY UNITED was considered to be disappointing as compared to its previous race starts.

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

Horse No 6 BEAUTY WAVES (H294) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 HARMONY FIRE (E175) E C W Wong Sent for sampling post-race.

Apprentice E C W Wong pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see YOUTHFUL SPIRITS).

Horse No 8 ACT OF FAITH (H082) B Avdulla Despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position.

Horse No 9 YOUTHFUL SPIRITS (J082) L Ferraris Apprentice E C W Wong (HARMONY FIRE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 700 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of YOUTHFUL SPIRITS, resulting in YOUTHFUL SPIRITS having to be restrained to avoid the heels of HARMONY FIRE.

Apprentice Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 7 April 2024 and to expire on Thursday, 11 April 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Apprentice Wong was fined $10,000.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 1 and also considered his neutral race riding record.

Horse No 10 ATOMIC ENERGY (H150) H Bentley Making the turn near the 550 Metres lay out and ran wide and then continued to lay out for some distance thereafter.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer" Horse No 12 CALIFORNIA TOUCH (J051) M Chadwick Jumped awkwardly and lost ground.