Recap by phillip woo

Post-time favourite Richcity Fortune cornered a length on top after quickly finding the front from a wide gate and just held on for a third win this term. He makes his own luck in front which is an asset in this grade. Big Bully finished strongly down the outside despite copping a bump 320m out after travelling fourth from the back to make it close on the wire. Nashashuk kept on well after peeling off the leader's heels at the 200m following a box-seat run to only miss by a neck. He has fallen plenty in the handicaps so a positive run was no surprise from a perfect draw. Liverbird Star stayed on well to just miss a placing following a prominent run in his season debut following a tendon injury. Adonis was beaten just over a length despite being hampered at the 250m and held up until the last 100m when trying to get into the act from near the back. M Reborn badly hampered early favourite Sunny Orient pulling out for a run from beyond midfield at the 360m.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (666) - DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION 1200M HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

MY DEAR was withdrawn on 17.5.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ROYAL PREROGATIVE (M Harley).

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

ADONIS lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then made heavy contact with BIG BULLY due to both horses shifting ground.

This resulted in ADONIS becoming unbalanced and losing ground.

M REBORN began only fairly.

From the outside barrier, DOUBLE DOUBLE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, WHAMPOA STAR failed to muster speed.

After the 1000 Metres, LAUGH OUT LOUD was left racing wide and without cover.

Passing the 500 Metres, M REBORN and SUNNY ORIENT made contact.

At the entrance to the Straight, SUNNY ORIENT was bumped by M REBORN which shifted out to obtain clear running.

G van Niekerk (M REBORN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 350 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting out when not clear of SUNNY ORIENT, causing that horse to be badly crowded for room and and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

In this incident, SUNNY ORIENT made contact with the hindquarters of BIG BULLY which became unbalanced.

G van Niekerk was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 8 June 2019 and to expire on Thursday, 13 June 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, G van Niekerk was fined $35,000.

Near the 250 Metres, ADONIS shifted out and brushed LAUGH OUT LOUD.

ADONIS was then held up for clear running approaching and passing the 100 Metres.

Near the 200 Metres, M REBORN was steadied when crowded for room between LAUGH OUT LOUD which shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed outside the heels of LIVERBIRD STAR which shifted out and BIG BULLY (N Callan) which shifted in under pressure.

N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

After the race, K Teetan (DOUBLE DOUBLE)) reported that his mount was quite awkward in its action in the Straight.

A veterinary inspection of DOUBLE DOUBLE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

A veterinary inspection of LAUGH OUT LOUD, PADDINGTON and SUNNY ORIENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

RICHCITY FORTUNE and BIG BULLY were sent for sampling.