RACE 7 (760)

Began from the middle draw to make all, taking advantage of the slow early tempo to obtain rails run over 800M out, driven over 2L clear briefly inside the 150M, won cozily.

Incident Report
The tongue tie was refitted in the Parade Ring. LEADING DRAGON was examined at the Start and passed suitable to race. Sent for sampling post-race.

Ridden early to be up with the pace, gradually shifted over 2L back in 5th home bend, angled off rail for a run on straightening but no clear run until about 200M out, quickened well late to snatch 2nd close to finish.

Incident Report
Between the 400 Metres and the 250 Metres was held up for clear running. Noted to have lost its left front plate after the race. Sent for sampling post-race.

Always thereabouts settling one back on rail behind leader cum eventual winner over 800M out, fought on under pressure but unable to quicken to threaten.

Incident Report
No report.

Crossed gingerly from a wide barrier to share 3L 6th 2-wide onto first bend, gained steadily to within 2L of pace over 700M out, unable to make any further impression in the run to the line.

Incident Report
No report.

In last few early stages, forced to check 900M out before pulling forward wide around home bend, fought on under pressure from just over 2L back into straight until finding no extra close to finish.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly. C L Chau (CALL ME SUCCESS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of LITTLE MONSTER, resulting in LITTLE MONSTER having to be checked, shifting in and crowding the running of BIG BIG WORLD. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Saturday, 27 June 2026 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record. Raced wide and without cover thereafter. Sent for sampling post-race.

Ridden along in last few on rail after moderate start, baulked behind runners from the 800M and forced to check 700M out, fought on steadily from one of the widest into straight without threatening.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 800 Metres was steadied to avoid CALL ME SUCCESS (C L Chau) which shifted in. C L Chau was reprimanded.

Pressed forward from the widest barrier, positioned one-out-one-back rounding home bend, came under pressure upon straightening but faded inside final 150M.

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

Settled well behind on rail and waited with, snuck closer on the inside after straightening but ran out of room from 300M out and forced to check and stumbled over 100M out, never recovered.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Between the 350 Metres and the 200 Metres was held up for clear running. After the 200 Metres FLYING SNIPER (Z Purton) endeavoured to improve into doubtful running between NAVAS G and ENJOY GOLF as ENJOY GOLF shifted out slightly. Near the 150 Metres FLYING SNIPER then struck the heels of ENJOY GOLF and blundered when disappointed for clear running between NAVAS G and ENJOY GOLF. As the Stewards found that there was not sufficient room for FLYING SNIPER to improve into the run, Jockey Purton was advised in similar circumstances he should exercise care to ensure that there is sufficient racing room to improve.

Shared 5th about 3L off the pace on rail when checked and lost position 900M out, 4L back in 7th rounding home bend, no clear run early in straight and forced to check 300M out, produced some late impression.

Incident Report
Leaving the 900 Metres was steadied to avoid VIRTUS GLORY (Apprentice H Y Yuen) which shifted in when racing to the inside of NAVAS G. Apprentice Yuen was advised to exercise more care. In considering the incident, the Stewards took into account that as VIRTUS GLORY was being shifted in it became positioned close to ENJOY GOLF when that runner gave ground whilst allowing LEADING DRAGON to cross to the lead. Leaving the 700 Metres commenced to race keenly and was shifted out when being steadied away from VIRTUS GLORY. Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 300 Metres was steadied when crowded between CALL ME SUCCESS and VIRTUS GLORY which shifted out. Apprentice Yuen was advised to exercise more care.

Travelled in midfield despite ridden along in first 200M, about 4L back in 6th rounding home bend, tight inside runners and baulked for a run early in straight, made no impression inside final 200M.

Incident Report
C L Chau pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see LITTLE MONSTER). Between the 450 Metres and the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running.

Always rear, forced to check 900M out dropping to last, made no further impression.

Incident Report
Crowded near the 900 Metres.

Incident Report
The start was delayed when FAITHFUL WARRIOR proved difficult to load. After being placed in the starting gates FAITHFUL WARRIOR reared, struck its head and was withdrawn by order of Stewards acting on veterinary advice. The Stewards ruled that FAITHFUL WARRIOR will be required to attend barrier practice to the satisfaction of the Starter prior to performing satisfactorily in a barrier trial and being subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.