Recap by phillip woo

Equal favourite Sky Hero made it look easy after leading from a wide gate to land a betting plunge. He's a bleeder but is very capable on his day. Goal For Gold rallied nicely from midfield to easily grab second. He lived up to an eye-catching run on opening day and remains the one to follow from this race. Diamond Master stuck on for a placing after stalking the leader one off the fence. Bright Strike peeled out with every chance following a prominent run and was only one-paced over the final 150m. Co-favourite Deja Vu failed to respond when popped the question after settling third without cover for the most part. He needed the run. Laugh Out Loud ran on steadily after a sluggish break. Tianhuang made some ground without menacing from near the back. He's a tough one to get right. Mint Master before the paddock parade and Sea Ruby, a casualty at the gate, were late withdrawals.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (026)-ZHUHAI HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Metres

When in the saddling stalls, MINT MASTER lost its right hind plate.

Despite the efforts of the farriers, MINT MASTER, due to its fractious nature, was unable to be reshod and accordingly the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

After being loaded, SEA RUBY became fractious and lunged at the front gates, resulting in the horse getting down in the barriers.

SEA RUBY was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its right hind leg and had sustained a wound over the right knee and accordingly was not suitable to race.

Acting on this advice, SEA RUBY was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

In this incident, Apprentice H N Wong was dislodged from SEA RUBY without incident.

Apprentice Wong was subsequently examined by the Club's medical officers and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagement.

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

TIANHUANG and LAUGH OUT LOUD were crowded for room on jumping between BRIGHT STRIKE and DIAMOND MASTER which shifted out.

GOAL FOR GOLD lost its right front plate in the early stages.

Near the 900 Metres, BRIGHT STRIKE was steadied away from the heels of DIAMOND MASTER which shifted out after being crossed by SKY HERO.

Passing the 900 Metres, NORTHERN FALLS got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in LAUGH OUT LOUD being crowded onto TIANHUANG which became unbalanced after being bumped by LAUGH OUT LOUD.

In this incident, NORTHERN FALLS also became badly unbalanced.

Throughout the race, DEJA VU travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, O Bosson stated that he had been instructed to lead on DIAMOND MASTER, however, he was given the option that if another horse was intent on leading, he could hand up so as not to get caught in a speed battle.

He said after beginning well he rode DIAMOND MASTER along to obtain a forward position on the rail.

He said it then became apparent to him that after travelling a short distance SKY HERO was being aggressively ridden to obtain the lead and having regard to the fact that he had been given the option to hand up, he elected to allow SKY HERO to cross and assume the lead, however, DIAMOND MASTER immediately commenced to travel keenly and for this reason he allowed the horse to switch to the outside of SKY HERO.

He added DIAMOND MASTER then travelled comfortably outside SKY HERO in the middle stages.

Trainer P F Yiu stated that it had been intended for DIAMOND MASTER to lead, however, he confirmed that he had given Jockey Bosson the option to steady DIAMOND MASTER if the rider of another runner was intent on leading.

The Stewards opened an inquiry into the tactics adopted by Y T Cheng on STARTLING POWER.

After taking evidence from Jockey Cheng and Mr T K Ng, the trainer of STARTLING POWER, the Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a date to be fixed.

The Stewards also adjourned an inquiry into other aspects of evidence tendered during the course of this hearing until a date to be fixed.

A veterinary inspection of STARTLING POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

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

SKY HERO and GOAL FOR GOLD were sent for sampling.