Recap by phillip woo

Lucky Double Eight has taken 33 starts but got the gaps in the straight run after travelling fifth from the rear to snatch victory from the grasp of rank outsider Celestial Nova in a blow-out result. He'll find it harder when next stepping out. Celestial Nova just missed after rushing to the front 100m out after a deep run with cover behind midfield in a vastlyimproved performance on his six other starts. He'll need to prove this was no fluke. Convincible finished well near the inside following a rails run beyond midfield to make it close on the wire. It was his third minor placing from seven starts but the weight did anchor him. Kingsfield was again vulnerable in the late stages after carving out decent fractions on the lead. He'll be getting away with a race down the line.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (470)-THE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG RACING JOURNALISTS CHALLENGECUP (HANDICAP) (Sec2) - Class 3 - 1400Metres

From wide barriers, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT and RULE THEE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After the 1000 Metres, CELESTIAL NOVA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HINYUEN SWIFTNESS.

Approaching the 900 Metres, VOLITATION was left racing wide and without cover.

For some distance passing the 800 Metres, FANTASTIC KAKA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VICTORY MACHINE and then near the 700 Metres shifted out and bumped VOLITATION.

KINGSFIELD travelled keenly in the lead in the middle stages.

Near the 750 Metres, BEAUTY KINGDOM commenced to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed behind OUTLAWED.

BEAUTY KINGDOM was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 300 Metres raced in restricted room inside KINGSFIELD when improving into tight running inside that horse.

Near the 250 Metres, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of VICTORY MACHINE which shifted out under pressure.

Passing the 250 Metres, RULE THEE shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT to obtain clear running.

Over the concluding stages, KINGSFIELD got its head on the side, lay out and proved difficult to ride.

When questioned, D Whyte stated that it had been intended for SMILING CHARM to be in about a midfield position if possible.

He said as the start was effected SMILING CHARM turned its head to the left, resulting in the horse beginning awkwardly and losing significant ground.

He said he then rode his mount along vigorously in the early stages, however, SMILING CHARM was reluctant to improve its position.

He said he continued to ride SMILING CHARM aggressively approaching and passing the 1000 Metres in an attempt to maintain a position inside the eventual winner LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT, however, despite being ridden along, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT was unable to maintain this position which resulted in SMILING CHARM racing further back in the field than intended.

He said after being crossed by LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT after the 900 Metres, SMILING CHARM then commenced to travel more comfortably.

He said near the 500 Metres he commenced to shift out around CONVINCIBLE, however, HINYUEN SWIFTNESS which was racing to that horse's outside was under heavy pressure and he therefore shifted SMILING CHARM back to the inside in the hope that CONVINCIBLE would shift out around BEAUTY KINGDOM in advance of that horse and he would be able to improve into clear running close to the rail.

He said when this did not happen, he shifted SMILING CHARM out away from behind CONVINCIBLE and continued to shift SMILING CHARM out to improve around HINYUEN SWIFTNESS.

He said he placed his mount under pressure, however, was reluctant to use the whip on the horse as there were a line of horses in advance of SMILING CHARM and was unaware where clear running would develop.

He added he commenced to ride the horse with the whip prior to the 200 Metres in order to follow LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT through before positioning SMILING CHARM to the outside of LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT passing the 200 Metres in the event that a run developed between that horse and VOLITATION.

He said he was then able to improve between those horses passing the 100 Metres.

He said then over the concluding stages SMILING CHARM raced tight between LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT and CELESTIAL NOVA and consequently he was not able to ride the horse right out to the winning post.

After considering Jockey Whyte's evidence and after viewing the videos, no further action was taken.

A veterinary inspection of SMILING CHARM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

VOLITATION, LUCKY DOUBLE EIGHT and CELESTIAL NOVA were sent for sampling.