RACE 2 (241)

Began well, sent forward to take the lead, travelled comfortably in the middle stages, kept on well early in straight, peaked and headed 150M, weakened gradually final 100M.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped shortly after start, raced slightly behind midfield on the outside, 4 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, angled out and made contact early in straight, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped well, tracked leaders, 2 wide, there to turn, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Moderately away from the widest draw, raced better than midfield on the outside, no cover throughout, peaked early in straight, weakened gradually inside final furlong.

Incident Report
C Y Ho pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 350 Metres (see DRAGON FOUR SEAS).

Out with rest, raced 3 wide with cover in midfield, 2 wide from 700M, 3 lengths back turning in, angled out and made contact early in straight, finished off very strongly to take 2nd, just beaten by a neck.

Incident Report
Shifted out at the start and was bumped. Near the 850 Metres was bumped. For a short distance near the 350 Metres was held up for clear running.

Moderately away, positioned 2 lengths behind the leader on the rail, a bit closer on turn, unable to obtain clear run until near 150M, finished off well to take a place, not quite able to challenge.

Incident Report
Near the 850 Metres when it commenced to race keenly got its head up when being steadied away from KING SHOW. As a result, MIGHTY COMMANDER shifted in and made contact with JUBILANT WINNER.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced 2 wide towards rear, angled out 500M, taken wide in straight and made good progress to be nearest on line.

Incident Report
When questioned, K De Melo stated that his instructions were to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages to offset the wide barrier and to assist BEAUTIFUL WIN in finishing the race off today. He said after shifting his mount behind runners in the early stages BEAUTIFUL WIN raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages. When questioned if there was an opportunity to shift to the outside of JUBILANT WINNER approaching the 400 Metres to commenced to improve, K De Melo stated that he was content in following JUBILANT WINNER as he felt that runner would provide his mount the best chance to improve into the event with a trail. He said when JUBILANT WINNER did not immediately improve near the 400 Metres, he then attempted to start to shift out to look for clear running, but became held up when disappointed between JUBILANT WINNER and BIENVENUE when those two runners shifted ground. He said as a result BEAUTIFUL WIN was held up for clear running between the 350 Metres and approaching the 200 Metres when it shifted to the inside of JUBILANT WINNER. He said after this he was able to commence to ride his mount along, but again over the concluding stages had some difficulty obtaining clear running when positioned behind JUBILANT WINNER. Trainer W Y So confirmed the instructions issued and stated that it was open to Jockey De Melo to shift to the outside of JUBILANT WINNER to secure clear running. After considering his explanation, the Stewards advised Jockey De Melo that he had made an error of judgement in not shifting out to improve to the outside of JUBILANT WINNER approaching the 400 Metres which would have availed him with clear running behind the winner PACKING ANGEL. He was further advised that in similar circumstances he should ride his mount in a more decisive manner to ensure that it is able to obtain the best possible placing in the field.

Jumped awkwardly and lost ground, raced towards rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, made good progress in straight without threatening. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. C Y Ho (MASTER PHOENIX) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 350 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of DRAGON FOUR SEAS, resulting in DRAGON FOUR SEAS losing its rightful running and being steadied. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 29 December 2024 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record. After the event, J McDonald reported that his mount did not appreciate racing in amongst other horses, particularly in the middle stages when positioned to the inside of KING SHOW which was racing greenly. He said after being crowded near the 350 Metres DRAGON FOUR SEAS failed to run on in the Home Straight thereafter. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Average to begin, raced 3 wide slightly better than midfield, difficult to settle in the early and middle stages, 2 to 3 lengths back turning in, bumped and crowded near 300M, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was eased when placed in restricted room between MIGHTY COMMANDER and MULTIBINGO which shifted in slightly. Held up for clear running making the Home Turn. Approaching the 400 Metres was again held up for clear running behind PHANTOM CYCLONE and near the 250 Metres was shifted to that runner’s inside to secure clear running. Approaching the 150 Metres was disappointed between MULTIBINGO and PHANTOM CYCLONE before being shifted to the outside of PHANTOM CYCLONE shortly after to secure clear running.

Bumped shortly after start, raced 3 wide with cover towards rear, angled out 500M, 4-1/2L back turning in, bumped near 300M, made good progress thereafter to make frame without threatening.

Incident Report
No report.

Shifted out at start, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, same position on turn, hard ridden from 300M, took the lead 150M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between MIGHTY COMMANDER and JUBILANT WINNER which shifted out. Near the 1000 Metres was steadied away from JUBILANT WINNER when racing keenly.

Made contact with the left side of its barrier on jumping and became unbalanced, raced 2 wide, 5 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened inside final furlong.

Incident Report
After the event, K Teetan reported that his mount raced greenly throughout the race and did not respond to his riding in the Home Straight.

Taken back from gate 13, raced at tail, 6 to 7 lengths back on turn, failed to close off in straight.

Incident Report
After the event, Y L Chung reported that from a wide barrier his instructions were to take up a forward position. Trainer A S Cruz confirmed the instructions issued.

Began only fairly, raced slightly behind midfield on the inside, saved ground throughout, peaked early in straight, weakened final furlong. (Lame right front leg next day morning.)

Incident Report
Near the 900 Metres was steadied when momentarily crowded by LEGEND ST PAUL’S (K C Leung) which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. K C Leung was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. After the event, A Badel stated that his mount, which was having its second race start, raced greenly when obliged to race wide and without cover. He said as a consequence in the Home Straight KING SHOW did not respond to his riding. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of KING SHOW, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, KING SHOW will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.