RACE 5 (499)

Moderately away from gate 14, raced in midfield on the stands' rail, crowded near 450M, one-paced final 400M.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident had occurred near the 300 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether MASTER TRILLION should be declared the winner. Subsequently J Orman, the rider of the second placegetter, THE GOLDEN KNIGHT, lodged a protest/objection against MASTER TRILLION being declared the winner alleging interference near the 300 Metres. After considering the evidence the Stewards found that THE GOLDEN KNIGHT had established clear running between GOLDEN FORTUNE and MASTER TRILLION approaching the 300 Metres. A short distance later MASTER TRILLION (K C Leung) then shifted out, resulting in THE GOLDEN KNIGHT having to be checked when crowded between GOLDEN FORTUNE and MASTER TRILLION. Having regard to the margin of a head between the two horses at the finish of the race and the manner in which THE GOLDEN KNIGHT finished the race off the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had the interference not have occurred, THE GOLDEN KNIGHT would have finished in advance of MASTER TRILLION. On that basis the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No. 4, THE GOLDEN KNIGHT, 1st; No. 3, MASTER TRILLION, 2nd; No. 9, MEGA MASTERMIND, 3rd; and No. 13, FLYING AMANI, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, K C Leung pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when not clear of THE GOLDEN KNIGHT, resulting in THE GOLDEN KNIGHT having to be checked to avoid MASTER TRILLION. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 1 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped start, raced better than midfield, 2 away from the stands' rail, peaked 300M, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
K C Leung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 300 Metres (see THE GOLDEN KNIGHT). Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped well, raced slightly better than midfield early, dropped towards rear in the middle stages, kept on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
No report.

Out with rest, raced at rear on the stands' side, made good progress final 400M to take a place.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly and lost ground.

Made contact shortly after start, raced at rear, 5 lengths back in the middle stages, made no impression final 400M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Approaching the 150 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a narrow run between SMILING FALCON and DANICA’S CHOICE which shifted out.

Average to begin, sent forward to take the lead, led by 3/4L at 400M, peaked and headed 150M, ran on evenly to the line. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Shifted in at the start and was bumped.

Jumped with them, raced prominently on the stands' rail, hard ridden 300M but only showed limited response, kept on same pace to the line.

Incident Report
Shifted in after travelling a short distance and was bumped. Approaching the 350 Metres lay in and as a consequence was steadied to avoid LUCKY YEAR which shifted out slightly.

Slightly slow out and made contact, raced at rear throughout, never a factor.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Incident Report
On jumping was crowded by LUCKY YEAR which shifted in.

Bumped on jumping, raced behind midfield on the middle track, made some progress after passing 300M, peaked on run 150M, weakened gradually close home.

Incident Report
A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped shortly after start, positioned 1 to 2 lengths behind the leader, 3 away from the stands' rail, hard ridden after passing 400M, kept on well to take 2nd.

Incident Report
Near the 1300 Metres was steadied when being shifted behind LUCKY YEAR to obtain cover. R Kingscote stated his mount finished the race off only fairly in the Home Straight and could offer no excuse for the horse’s performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped start, positioned 2 lengths behind the leader on the stands' side, hard ridden from 300M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
After travelling a short distance became unbalanced when bumped by ARMOR GOLDEN EAGLE.

Taken back from gate 1, raced behind midfield on the middle track, made no progress final 400M.

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped on jumping, raced in midfield, nearer to the middle track, commenced move after passing 350M, hit the front 150M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.