Recap by phillip woo

Early favourite Sports Legend was too smart after clearing to the lead 1,000m out from gate 11 for a second straight win from as many starts over the Valley 1,200m. It looks like he has the tools to win again. Colourful Emperor ran on nicely to finish a close second after settling in the box seat. It was another good run carrying four pounds more. Sweet Briar got going late to overhaul outsider Armour Eagle for third after settling on the rail in better than midfield. He's as honest as the day is long. Armour Eagle ran on nicely near the inside for fourth after biding his time three from the rear. He relished a return to the course and distance of an earlier win off one point higher in the ratings. Solar Partner just held his ground after a prominent run. He's a Class Four horse. Healthy Healthy ran on without threatening after improving from last to travel behind midfield coming to the final bend. He is mixing his form. Nebraskan came from near last to finish next best. It was an OK effort on debut in Hong Kong. King Eccellente never figured from near the back. He was up in class and required a stronger pace.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (577) - ONCIDIUM HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 ASTROLOGER (G102) H Bowman From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 2 COLOURFUL EMPEROR (H167) Y L Chung Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 ATOMIC FORCE (G221) C Y Ho Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 4 HEALTHY HEALTHY (H203) B Avdulla After the race, B Avdulla stated that his intention was to hold a forward position but after commencing only fairly and despite riding his mount along in the early stages, it failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position.

Horse No 5 O'LINER (H264) L Ferraris After the race, L Ferraris stated that when he felt there may have been something amiss with his mount making the Home Turn, he eased it down from the event.

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

The performance of O'LINER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, O'LINER 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 ARMOUR EAGLE (G093) B Thompson Bumped at the start.

Horse No 7 SOLAR PARTNER (E364) M Chadwick Bumped at the start.

Horse No 8 SPORTS LEGEND (H456) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 MAGIC PHOENIX (E440) M L Yeung Jumped awkwardly.

Horse No 11 NEBRASKAN (J304) K Teetan From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 12 KING ECCELLENTE (G264) H Bentley After the race, H Bentley stated that from the outside barrier he was able to obtain a midfield position.

He stated that making the Home Turn KING ECCELLENTE lost momentum when being held up behind O'LINER as that runner gave ground quickly.

He added that after being shifted to the outside on straightening KING ECCELLENTE finished the race off only fairly which he attributed to the incident on the Home Turn and KING ECCELLENTE being up in Class 3 tonight.

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

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GENERAL:

1.

Race 1 (569) After the race, Starter Mr A Speechley reported that as he endeavoured to effect the start, the starting gates malfunctioned and failed to open on two occasions.

He said as a result a manual start was effected to start the event without incident.

The starting mechanism was replaced for the remainder of the races and a review of the malfunction will be undertaken to determine the cause.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of YOUNG HORIZON, PERFECT PEACH, NOBLE ONE, SMART LEADER, COMMANDING MISSILE, THE GOLDEN SCENERY, MUGEN, FLAMING RABBIT, RED ELEGANCE, PROSECCO, GOLDEN RISE, FLYING MOJITO, LUCKY GOLD, VOYAGE SAMURAI, WAR OF COURAGE, SUPERB KID, BEAUTY MISSILE, PHOENIX LIGHT, KING MILES, AWESOME TREASURE, FRANTANCK, FLAGSHIP WARRIOR, WINNING DATA, GORGEOUS WIN, IMA SINGLE MAN and JAMES TAK (31.3.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Fine Race 8 Trainer C S Shum (EIGHTEEN PALMS): $5,000 for lodging a frivolous protest/objection

2.

Severe Reprimands Race 8 K De Melo (IVY LEAGUE) for shifting in near the 50 Metres and again approaching the finish

3.

Reprimands Race 2 L Hewitson (E UNIVERSE) for failing to ride his mount out to the finish of the event Race 4 C L Chau (SPEEDY SMARTIE) for shifting in over the concluding stages Race 8 Apprentice Y L Chung (LOVERO) for shifting in near the 1400 Metres

4.

Warning Race 1 A Atzeni (SUNNY SHINES) for shifting in approaching the 2000 Metres

5.

Suspension Race 2 K De Melo (SUPER EAGLE) for careless riding near the 1000 Metres (Sunday, 28 April 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday)

6.

Protest/Objection Race 8

7.

Bleeder Race 2 HAPPY GOLF

8.

Barrier Trials Race 2 HAPPY GOLF (bleeder) Race 9 O'LINER (unacceptable performance)

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2 HAPPY GOLF Race 6 SAVVY CHIC Race 9 O'LINER

10.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 4