RACE 7 (371)

Began only fairly, raced towards rear, 5 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, no clear run early in straight, cleared approaching 200M, made good progress thereafter to take 2nd. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Slightly slow out, sent forward to take the lead, led by 1/4L turning in, kept on well early in straight, peaked and headed 150M, ran on evenly, lost 2nd on line.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Average to begin, raced 2 wide in midfield, 3 lengths back turning in, failed to make any progress in straight.

Incident Report
Held up for clear running between the 500 Metres and the 400 Metres.

Began only fairly and bumped, raced at tail, 6 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, very wide into straight, made good progress in the run home without threatening.

Incident Report
Shifted out on jumping and was bumped. Approaching the 350 Metres improved into a tight run between SHANGHAI STYLE and CONSPIRACY WITNESS and as a result made contact with CONSPIRACY WITNESS.

Incident Report
Bumped near the 350 Metres.

Began well from a wide draw, trapped wide in midfield early, raced 2 wide behind midfield in the middle stages, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. J Orman expressed concern with his mount’s action in the Home Straight. The Veterinary Officer reported that the horse was lame in its left front leg after the race. Before being allowed to race again, NOT USUAL PICK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Away well, positioned 1 out 1 back, there to turn, bumped near 350M, finished off strongly to score.

Incident Report
K Teetan stated that after being bumped on jumping he rode his mount along to endeavour to hold a more forward position but MEGA FORCE did not respond and as a result became detached from the field in the early and middle stages.

Moderately away from a wide draw, positioned 3 lengths behind the leader on the inside, same margin back on turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
H T Mo pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 400 Metres (see SANDMAN).

Moderately away from gate 1, raced better than midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept on well early in straight, peaked approaching 150M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
L Ferraris stated that he was instructed to ride the horse in a conservative manner in the early stages as FASHION LEGEND has a tendency to race keenly. He said as a result from his wide barrier he shifted the horse behind runners in the early stages to comply with his instructions. Trainer D Eustace confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Incident Report
No report.

Began well from a tricky gate, raced prominently on the outside, 1/4L back turning in, kept on well early in straight, peaked 200M, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Began well from the widest draw, unable to slot in early, slightly taken back after passing 1100M, raced behind midfield on the outside, 5 lengths back turning in, weakened early in straight.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. Crowded near the 400 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea.

Blundered on jumping, raced 3 wide in midfield, no cover on turn, finished off evenly. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
H T Mo (NEVER PETER OUT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 400 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when not clear of VIRTUOUS PHANTOM, resulting in VIRTUOUS PHANTOM being taken out across the running of SANDMAN which resulted in SANDMAN having to be checked when it was crowded for room between FASHION LEGEND and VIRTUOUS PHANTOM. H T Mo was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record. D Probert reported that the horse made a respiratory noise during the race before giving ground on the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SANDMAN, which finished tailed out on the second occasion in recent starts, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SANDMAN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Began awkwardly and bumped, raced towards rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, made minor progress in straight.

Incident Report
After being placed in the starting gates got its head under the starting gates and became cast. Was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice HAPPY UNIVERSE was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY UNIVERSE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.