Recap by phillip woo

Clever Beaver enjoyed a lovely run on the back of the speed in fourth, straightened four deep upon straightening and got up 80m out for the win to give rider Matthew Chadwick a milestone 300th winner. Lang Tai Sing finished nicely five deep after a one-off run in fifth to get up in deep stretch for second. Plunged late, Team Fortune was posted deep beyond midfield from a wide gate, straightened two from the right and finished well to easily get the better of raging favourite Love Shock for a placing. Love Shock went forward from a wide gate to vie for the lead three deep, moved to a clear lead 600m out, straightened three deep a length on top but the hard run took its toll 100m out. Call Me Awesome made a steady bid five deep after travelling fourth from the rear in a pleasing first run in Hong Kong. Brown lamped on the board, Short Squeeze didn't fire following a one-off run travelling worse than midfield. Sun Touch made some ground without ever looking a chance after travelling near the back following a slow start. Chevalier Star was stopping 150m out after pressing the pace one off the fence. Shining Moon held the fence on the speed after showing terrific gate speed but was stopping badly 200m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (751)-THE MEMBERS CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

HARBOUR NOVA was withdrawn on 23.6.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of blood and mucus in trachea on scoping) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter THE FULL BLOOM.

FLYING FORCE was withdrawn on 25.6.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore).

Before being allowed to race again, HARBOUR NOVA and FLYING FORCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SUN TOUCH began only fairly.

GOLDEN DEER got its head up shortly after the start and then shifted out and bumped THE FULL BLOOM which became unbalanced.

After crossing into the lead near the 1000 Metres, SHINNING MOON proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when attempting to be steadied.

Making the first turn after the 900 Metres, CALL ME AWESOME got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of TEAM FORTUNE.

Then approaching the 600 Metres, CALL ME AWESOME continued to lay out and raced tight inside TEAM FORTUNE.

In the Straight, LANG TAI SING got its head on the side, hung in and proved difficult to ride.

When questioned regarding her riding of SUN TOUCH, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that after not beginning well, SUN TOUCH raced back in the field and due to the fast tempo of the race was a considerable distance from the leaders after the 600 Metres.

She said she rode her mount along rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight commenced to use the whip on the horse.

She said SUN TOUCH initially did not respond to her riding, however, she continued to ride the horse including continuing to use the whip on SUN TOUCH.

She added after the 200 Metres as SUN TOUCH did not appear to be closing off the race, she elected to cease using the whip and pushed the horse out hands and heels.

She said approaching the 100 Metres she shifted SUN TOUCH, which was inclined to lay in, to the outside of the heels of SUPREME FALCON and then continued to push the horse all the way to the end of the race.

Apprentice Chiong was told that her riding of SUN TOUCH, particularly over the last 200 Metres, had come under notice.

She was advised to ensure that she rides her mounts in such a manner so as to leave no room for query.

A veterinary inspection of SUN TOUCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned regarding his riding of LOVE SHOCK, J Moreira stated that he had been instructed, from barrier 13, to ride the horse positively in the early stages and obtain a forward position.

He said it was anticipated that the only established leader in the race was CHEVALIER STAR and that there would be an opportunity for LOVE SHOCK to shift over to race outside that horse.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode LOVE SHOCK along in the early stages and the horse initially showed superior speed to CHEVALIER STAR.

He said shortly after the start he became aware that SHINNING MOON was being ridden forward from an inside barrier, however, he was unsure whether that horse would continue to be part of the speed in the early stages.

He said for some distance after the start LOVE SHOCK raced on terms with CHEVALIER STAR, however, after the 1000 Metres he felt that LOVE SHOCK was showing superior speed to CHEVALIER STAR and therefore he continued to ride his mount forward in an endeavour to cross that horse.

He added after the 1000 Metres SHINNING MOON and CHEVALIER STAR continued to maintain their positions to the inside of LOVE SHOCK and, despite his efforts, he was unable to clear CHEVALIER STAR and race closer to the rail which resulted in LOVE SHOCK racing in a three wide position without cover throughout the race.

He said whilst he was aware that a gap had opened up behind the leading horses and to the main body of the field, he had committed LOVE SHOCK to go forward at this time and that he did not believe that it was a viable option to then steady his mount and obtain a trailing position behind CHEVALIER STAR.

J Moreira was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, his riding of LOVE SHOCK felt short of what is expected of a senior rider, in particular one of his standing.

He was told that given the established racing pattern of CHEVALIER STAR which is noted to have led in a majority of its race starts, he should have steadied LOVE SHOCK after the 1100 Metres to attempt to obtain a trailing position behind CHEVALIER STAR.

J Moreira was severely reprimanded and reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts in such a manner so that they do not cover unnecessary ground and are provided with every opportunity to finish off their races to the best of their ability.

A veterinary inspection of SHINNING MOON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SHORT SQUEEZE had bled from both nostrils.

LOVE SHOCK, CLEVER BEAVER and LANG TAI SING were sent for sampling.