Recap by phillip woo

Lots happened in the last race. Imperial Gallantry came with his usual bold move late after travelling fourth from the back to grab victory in the shadows of the post. He's racing very well over this Valley trip and looks like he might handle 1,800m now. High Volatility was bloused on the line after surging to the lead approaching the 100 after chasing the leader. The light weight helped with a return to Class Three. Good Omen came on well to spice up the tierce after travelling third from the rear at only his second local start and first at the Valley. Let's Take It Easy peaked on his run 50m out after moving to the lead 200m out following a prominent run. This was a richer test following a win in a 60-80 range test. Marvel Joy stayed on better following a midfield run at his fourth start and first at the Valley. Beauty Prince worked hard to lead from a wide gate then shied away from the riderless Dances With Dragon at the 900m before empty 150m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (446) - KING KWONG HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered whether CIRCUIT HASSLER (Apprentice H T Mo) and DANCES WITH DRAGON (J Moreira) had been afforded a fair start.

Subsequently and prior to the declaration of weighed-in, Apprentice Mo made an application to the Stewards for CIRCUIT HASSLER to be declared a non-runner due to having not been afforded a fair start.

In respect of CIRCUIT HASSLER, the Stewards found that almost simultaneously with the start being effected CIRCUIT HASSLER, which was being assisted by a starting gate handler, became fractious, reared and made heavy contact with the outside of its stall, resulting in the horse losing a significant amount of ground.

As the Stewards believed that CIRCUIT HASSLER became fractious as the Starter was effecting the start and that there was no outside influence associated with CIRCUIT HASSLER's barrier manners, that horse was considered to have afforded a fair start and accordingly was deemed to be a runner.

The Stewards also found that as the start was effected DANCES WITH DRAGON reared abruptly, resulting in its rider, J Moreira, being dislodged and DANCES WITH DRAGON leaving the barrier stalls riderless.

As the Stewards were satisfied that DANCES WITH DRAGON's barrier manners had solely been to blame for the incident and the horse reared simultaneously to the start being effected, it was found that DANCES WITH DRAGON was also afforded a fair start and was also deemed to be a runner.

Accordingly, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the judge with both CIRCUIT HASSLER and DANCES WITH DRAGON being declared runners.

Prior to being permitted to race again, both CIRCUIT HASSLER and DANCES WITH DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.

IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was crowded for room on jumping between AFFLUENCE START and LET'S TAKE IT EASY, both of which shifted ground.

BEAUTY PRINCE began only fairly.

GOOD OMEN began awkwardly.

MARVEL JOY lost its left hind plate in the early stages.

At the 1100 Metres, AFFLUENCE START was severely checked by the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON.

HIGH VOLATILITY was directed out by its rider making the turn near the 1000 Metres when the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON improved to its inside.

RED MARVEL, which was racing to the outside of HIGH VOLATILITY, was hampered and taken wider as a consequence.

Making the turn near the 950 Metres, BEAUTY PRINCE (Apprentice M F Poon) became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON which improved to be racing tight between that horse and the running rail.

After the race, Apprentice Poon reported that his mount became fired up after becoming unbalanced and when challenged by the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON on its inside.

He said, despite his efforts, he was not able to settle BEAUTY PRINCE which got its head up passing the 850 Metres as he attempted to steady that horse.

Passing the 400 Metres, CHATER LEGEND was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RED MARVEL.

Then shortly after entering the Straight, CHATER LEGEND was steadied when disappointed for running between AFFLUENCE START and RED MARVEL which lay in when commencing to give ground.

A veterinary inspection of HAPPY AGILITY, CIRCUIT HASSLER and AFFLUENCE START immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

AFFLUENCE START, IMPERIAL GALLANTRY and HIGH VOLATILITY were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

PAKISTAN STAR (V325) completed its required barrier trials on Tuesday, 13 February 2018 with a hood and pacifier with cowls on, and accordingly is required to race with that gear at its next race start.

Trainer A S Cruz was fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to submit the respective gear change for the horse, which is entered for the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 25 February 2018, by the required time.

2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 18 February 2018 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of HAPPY BEAUTY, WINNING CONTROLLER, AMAZING SATCHMO, VITAL SPRING, BEAUTY DAY, EVER LAUGH, HAY RUN, MAGIC SUCCESS, SILVER FIG, HONEST WAY, RAGING STORM, SPEEDY KING, HAVE FUN TOGETHER, BALTIC WHISPER, MR LUMIERES, HAIR TRIGGER, HAPPILABABY, ROCKETEER, WAH MAY FRIEND, DUNDONNELL, JOLLY BANNER, NOTHINGILIKEMORE, SINGAPORE SLING, EXULTANT, WISHFUL THINKER, INFINITY ENDEAVOUR, SIMPLY BRILLIANT and SACRED IBIS revealed no apparent abnormality.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of FINE WITH ME, VICTORY FOLLOW ME, HAPPY ROCKY, GARLIC YEAH, MARVEL HERO, PACKING DRAGON, PRAWN BABA, SHARPMIND, FUNNY BUDDIES, GOLDEN GLORY, NAVAS, NUMERO UNO, HIGH VOLATILITY, GENTRY, CHARITY GLORY, SPRING WIN, LET'S TAKE IT EASY and IMPERIAL GALLANTRY (7.2.18) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 2: PRAWN BABA on 20.2.18 on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Change After riding in Race 3, C Schofield became indisposed and was stood down by the Club's Racing Medical Officer.

As such, permission was given for N Callan to be substituted as the rider of FAIRY TWINS in Race 8.

3.

Fines Race 4: Trainer D Cruz (HAPPY FIERY DRAGON): $2,000 for a declaration error.

General: Trainer A S Cruz (PAKISTAN STAR): $2,000 for failing to submit a gear change for the horse.

4.

Severe Reprimands Race 3: P-C Boudot (SHARP HUNTER) for shifting in close to the finishing line.

Race 5: T Berry (SICHUAN BOSS) for shifting in approaching the 100 Metres.

5.

Reprimands Race 1: A Sanna (RUGBY DIAMOND) for shifting in near the 650 Metres.

Race 3: P-C Boudot (SHARP HUNTER) for shifting in near the 150 Metres.

Race 4: U Rispoli (SHOWING CHARACTER) for shifting in passing the 50 Metres.

6.

Warnings Race 2: Apprentice M F Poon (PACKING DRAGON) for repeatedly using the whip forward of the saddle.

Race 6: M Chadwick (SEVEN HEAVENS) for shifting out passing the 450 Metres.

Race 8: Apprentice H N Wong (FORTUNE BO BO) for shifting in passing the 150 Metres.

A Sanna (GOLDEN HARVEST) for shifting in passing the 150 Metres.

7.

Suspensions Race 3: J Moreira (ARIZONA BLIZZARD) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (from 11 March 2018 until 15 March 2018 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 7: S Clipperton (BANK ON RED) for careless riding rounding the Home Turn (from 2018 until 2018 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 8: Apprentice H N Wong (FORTUNE BO BO) for careless riding passing the 1150 Metres (from 3 March 2018 until 8 March 2018 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

8.

Barrier Trials Race 9: CIRCUIT HASSLER DANCES WITH DRAGON

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2: PRAWN BABA Race 3: ARIZONA BLIZZARD Race 7: SMILING PRIDE