Recap by phillip woo

Metallic Star was ridden to find the front, straightened near two lengths on top and drew clear for a fourth win from 40 starts. Victory Master settled one off the fence in fourth, straightened four deep, worked to second 200m out and kept on gamely to spice up the exotics. Favourite Prince Falcon recovered to travel near the inside in midfield at the 900m after a slow break, shifted out sharply for a clear run six deep at the 350m and closed off steadily to grab a placing. Animation Master settled fourth from the rear along the fence, worked into the open five deep when straightening and finished nicely to give the Quartet some further value. Spicy Double was a handful for rider Alvin Ng Kachun, travelling second from the rear on the inside from a wide gate, straightened near three deep and finished well despite shifting out under pressure in a vastly improved effort. Sensationally backed Brilliant Monkeys loomed a chance 200m out after a boxseat run, but came up flat inside the final 100m. Supernatural made some ground. Mutual Joy was caught three deep with cover behind midfield, swung the final bend with two wider out and was only plodding. Happy Fiery Dragon straightened with every chance after sitting outside the leader from a wide gate, but was stopping in a disappointing effort. Fast And Furious never came on widest out with a return to Class Four.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (640)-LUNG MUN ROAD HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Metres

Whilst in the saddling stalls, CLEVER SPIRIT had its right front plate refitted.

CLEVER SPIRIT was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

The Veterinary Surgeon reported that METALLIC STAR, which had made contact with a rail on leaving the Parade Ring, was found to be suitable to race.

SUPERNATURAL was bumped heavily by VICTORY MASTER on jumping and then was crowded for room between VICTORY MASTER and METALLIC STAR.

From a wide barrier, FAST AND FURIOUS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

O Doleuze (HAPPY FIERY DRAGON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at about the 1350 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ANIMATION MASTER, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

When ANIMATION MASTER was checked, FAST AND FURIOUS, which was following, was hampered and shifted in away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 2 June 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 22 May 2016.

When assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration O Doleuze's good race riding record throughout last racing season and since returning to race riding during the current season.

Passing the 1300 Metres, MANFUL STAR and HAPPY FIERY DRAGON bumped.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, SUPERNATURAL was awkwardly placed close to the heels or HARRIER.

After this, SUPERNATURAL travelled keenly for some distance.

For a considerable distance after the 1000 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of SUPERNATURAL.

Near the 850 Metres, FAST AND FURIOUS was shifted in away from the heels of BONHEUR after being awkwardly placed behind that horse.

Approaching the 800 Metres, VICTORY MASTER raced in restricted room inside HAPPY FIERY DRAGON and then passing the 800 Metres was steadied away from the heels of that horse.

O Doleuze was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in future.

Near the 450 Metres, HARRIER momentarily raced tight between MANFUL STAR which shifted in marginally and PRINCE FALCON which shifted out.

Passing the 250 Metres, ANIMATION MASTER was disappointed for running between CLEVER SPIRIT and VICTORY MASTER which shifted out.

After being directed to the inside of VICTORY MASTER approaching the 200 Metres, ANIMATION MASTER was steadied after the 150 Metres when again disappointed for running between HAPPY FIERY DRAGON which was giving ground and VICTORY MASTER which shifted in.

ANIMATION MASTER was then awkwardly placed behind VICTORY MASTER until the concluding stages and as a consequence was not able to be properly tested.

Near the 150 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE was steadied away from the heels of ANIMATION MASTER.

Throughout the race, CLEVER SPIRIT travelled wide and without cover.

The performance of MANFUL STAR, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on HARRIER at the request of Trainer P O'Sullivan.

The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

A veterinary inspection of CLEVER SPIRIT, HAPPY FIERY DRAGON and FAST AND FURIOUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PRINCE FALCON, METALLIC STAR and VICTORY MASTER were sent for sampling.