Recap by phillip woo

Red Desert won a ding-dong finish over the well-backed Victory Machine despite wandering under pressure after poking his head in front 200m out following a one-out oneback run. Victory Machine was just denied after assuming the front 350m sitting outside the leader Hard Promise to his outside from the widest gate. Odds-on favourite Silver Fig finished a close third despite having to start-and-stop twice in the drive following a midfield run on the fence. He should have won with an unimpeded run. Hichinlove got up in the last bound to finish a distant fourth after travelling one-off behind midfield. It's only a matter of time before he salutes in this grade. Ambitious Heart came up flat over the last 150m following a one-off run midfield. He's honest but doesn't have much room to head higher off his current mark. Splendid Timing made some ground without ever looking a threat from behind midfield. It was a better effort.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (706) - HKU FACULTIES OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS AND SCIENCE HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

RED DESERT shifted out at the start and bumped SPLENDID TIMING.

WON WON TOO and KEY WITNESS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover.

Making the turn after the 900 Metres, SILVER FIG raced tight inside AMBITIOUS HEART.

Also after the 900 Metres, HINCHINLOVE shifted in and bumped SPLENDID TIMING.

Near the 550 Metres, AMBITIOUS HEART was bumped on the hindquarters by SILVER FIG which shifted out.

Then passing the 500 Metres, SILVER FIG raced in restricted room between AMBITIOUS HEART and RED DESERT after improving into tight running between those horses.

Passing the 200 Metres, K Teetan (AMBITIOUS HEART) dropped his whip.

As this was the third occasion this season that Jockey Teetan had been reported to have dropped his whip in races, he was placed on notice that should he offend in a similar manner this season, further action may be taken.

Approaching the 100 Metres, SPLENDID TIMING was taken wider by HARD PROMISE which shifted out under pressure.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that incidents occurred in the Straight which cast some doubt on whether RED DESERT (J Moreira) should be declared the winner.

It was found that passing the 400 Metres SILVER FIG (A Domeyer), 3rd placegetter, was shifted to the inside of RED DESERT after being disappointed for running outside that horse which shifted out.

It was further established that approaching the 150 Metres SILVER FIG was then shifted to the outside of RED DESERT after being momentarily awkwardly placed behind that horse which shifted in marginally under pressure.

Having in mind the margin between RED DESERT and SILVER FIG at the end of the race and the relatively minor nature of the incidents, the Stewards were satisfied that SILVER FIG would not have beaten RED DESERT and therefore weighed-in was semaphored on the Judge's placings.

Whilst it did not have any bearing on the Stewards' decision not to proceed to a formal protest/objection hearing, it should be noted that neither Jockey A Domeyer nor the connections of SILVER FIG lodged a protest/objection.

J Moreira was subsequently reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift out passing the 400 Metres.

When questioned regarding his riding of SPLENDID TIMING in the Straight, T H So stated that his mount lay in in the early part of the Straight when being ridden along.

He said he commenced to ride the horse out passing the 400 Metres, however, SPLENDID TIMING continued to lay in under pressure and shifted in approaching the 200 Metres.

He said he straightened SPLENDID TIMING and commenced to ride the horse out again, however, approaching the 100 Metres was hampered when taken wider by HARD PROMISE.

He said after that horse was straightened, he continued to ride SPLENDID TIMING out all the way to the end of the race.

SILVER FIG, RED DESERT and VICTORY MACHINE were sent for sampling.