Recap by phillip woo

Super Eighteen was well rated after leading from a middle gate and kept up a strong gallop to open his win account. The 10-pound claim paid off and he does appear to have further room for improvement. Gracious Ryder came from midfield to grab second to prove a last-start win was no fluke. Well-backed late Relentless Me closed well after travelling deep beyond midfield to fill a placing. He's always a chance at this level. Have Fun Together left things too late after travelling near last but still finished well to finish fourth. He remains a winner waiting to happen. Favourite Little Bird over-raced chasing the leader and came undone over the last 100m. He's got ability but is still learning. Great Son kept on better after a deep run without cover travelling fore of midfield from an outside gate. He might be an interesting one down in Class Five.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (625) - THE SWAINE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1200Meters

After being loaded into the barriers, TOM'S DRAGON became very fractious, reared abruptly and sat down.

TOM'S DRAGON then became cast in the barriers and turned around and whilst doing that lashed out on a number of occasions into the stall occupied by HURRICANE HUNTER.

Both TOM'S DRAGON and HURRICANE HUNTER were removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said TOM'S DRAGON had made forceful contact with the front gates after becoming fractious and HURRICANE HUNTER had sustained injuries to all legs when struck by TOM'S DRAGON.

Accordingly both horses were declared not fit to start.

Acting on this advice, TOM'S DRAGON and HURRICANE HUNTER were withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Before being allowed to race again, TOM'S DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination whilst HURRICANE HUNTER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Shortly after the start, GREAT SON got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider and inconvenienced RUN MOOCHI.

From wide barriers, MAJESTIC DRAGON, RELENTLESS ME, HAVE FUN TOGETHER and RUN MOOCHI were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Apprentice C Wong (SUPER EIGHTEEN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HAVEN STREET, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

After riding at the Happy Valley barrier trials yesterday, the Stewards approved for Apprentice Wong to be able to accept race riding engagements at Happy Valley commencing at the Happy Valley racemeeting conducted on Wednesday, 16 May 2018.

Accordingly, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for Apprentice Wong's licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Sunday, 27 May 2018 and to expire on Thursday, 31 May 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

Approaching the 1000 Metres, RUN MOOCHI, which was having its first race start, commenced to prove very difficult to settle and had to be checked away from the heels of RELENTLESS ME and SHINING BRIGHT.

RUN MOOCHI then continued to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when shifting out abruptly across the heels of RELENTLESS ME after the 1000 Metres.

When questioned, U Rispoli stated that he was asked to lead on LITTLE BIRD if nothing else was intent on pursuing the lead, however, it was anticipated that SUPER EIGHTEEN might be ridden positively in the early stages and if this were to occur, he should allow that horse to cross LITTLE BIRD and if possible he should position LITTLE BIRD away from the rail as, in the opinion of the connections, the going was slightly better away from the rail.

He said in accordance with his instructions he obtained a forward position on LITTLE BIRD, but he observed shortly after the start that SUPER EIGHTEEN was being positively ridden and therefore he steadied LITTLE BIRD approaching and passing the 1000 Metres to allow that horse to cross.

He said as SUPER EIGHTEEN took some time to cross LITTLE BIRD, this allowed HAVEN STREET the opportunity to improve its position to the outside of LITTLE BIRD and to gain an advantage over LITTLE BIRD.

He said when HAVEN STREET shifted to race one horse off the rail, this resulted in LITTLE BIRD having to race on the rail.

He added LITTLE BIRD did not travel as strongly as he anticipated it would and in the early part of the Straight was already under pressure before finishing off one-paced.

LITTLE BIRD, SUPER EIGHTEEN and GRACIOUS RYDER were sent for sampling.