Recap by phillip woo

Smart Boy came on well from behind midfield to get the nose down over an unlucky Fast Most Furious for a second win this season. It was his second win to go along with four seconds over this Valley trip this season and he should continue to be competitive. Fast Most Furious was unlucky not to have won after being held up near the inside for a clear run until baring out at the 150 following a patient ride fourth from the rear. He's been costly without saluting in four starts but clearly has ability and will be winning shortly. Most Beautiful pulled out rounding the final bend following a handy run but was no match for the Quinella pair. He's racing well but is only borderline Class Three material. Fantastic Feeling was getting going late after travelling fourth from the rear. He's a winner waiting to happen in this grade but requires a strong pace. Navas was either held up or struck some interference over the final 200m travelling midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (482) - THE IRELAND TROPHY (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Meters

LOTUS BREEZE began awkwardly and made contact with NAVAS.

Soon after the start, NAVAS raced tight inside MOST BEAUTIFUL.

From wide barriers, FANTASTIC FEELING and SPRING WIN were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

MOST BEAUTIFUL was inclined to lay out rounding the Home Turn.

FAST MOST FURIOUS was held up for clear running from the 250 Metres until approaching the 100 Metres.

Z Purton (FAST MOST FURIOUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that leaving the 150 Metres he directed his mount out into a position between DASHING GAINER and LOTUS BREEZE where there was insufficient room, resulting in FAST MOST FURIOUS applying pressure to LOTUS BREEZE, causing that horse to be severely hampered when crowded for room.

Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 28 March 2018 and to expire on Tuesday, 3 April 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Purton's good race riding record.

Apprentice H T Mo (MOST BEAUTIFUL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that leaving the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in whilst being ridden with the whip when not clear of NAVAS, resulting in that horse being hampered and taken in onto EXTREMELY FUN which was also badly hampered when crowded for room.

Apprentice Mo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 21 March 2018 and to expire on Monday, 26 March 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Apprentice Mo was fined $37,500.

Throughout the race, GOOD COMPANION travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.

When questioned, K Teetan (FANTASTIC FEELING) stated that upon entering the Straight he was following SMART BOY and was content to do so as that horse was making up good ground.

He said he would have preferred to have shifted to the outside of SMART BOY in the early part of the Straight, however, was unable to do so due to GOOD COMPANION, which was positioned to the outside of that horse losing ground.

He said after following SMART BOY for a short distance, he then directed FANTASTIC FEELING to the inside of that horse and commenced to place his mount under full pressure, however, SMART BOY then shifted in under pressure which prompted him to alter course to the outside of SMART BOY near the 100 Metres to continue improving.

EXTREMELY FUN, SMART BOY and FAST MOST FURIOUS were sent for sampling.