Recap by phillip woo

Hello Daddy took his time to cross to lead 1,200m from the widest gate, straightened two lengths on top and kept up a strong gallop for a first win at his seventh start. He had put the writing on the wall in two prior starts following a switch to the 1,400m and the wet ground likely helped. Punted late Smart Patch ran on nicely after biding his time three deep fourth from the rear but was no match for the winner. He relished a return to his favourite 1,600m. Post-time favourite Cheerful Leader ran on all right after having to switch off heels 200m out following a midfield run to fill a placing. He doesn't know how to run a bad race. Specked late More Than A Horse came from a distant last to snatch fourth from stablemate Reynolds. More than A Horse had been coming to hand until an April failure with a heart irregularity. Reynolds took the short route home after a patient ride third from the rear to just miss a Quartet spot. It was his best run to date.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (727) - ON TING HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1600Meters

K C Leung (KIRAM) was fined the sum of $3,000 for failing to declare a probable 2 lb overweight on the horse at the time of declaration.

On arrival at the barriers, SUCH A HAPPINESS became fractious, resulting in its rider, A Hamelin, being dislodged.

SUCH A HAPPINESS then galloped riderless to the end of 1800 Metre chute.

SUCH A HAPPINESS was withdrawn by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice.

On arrival at the Start, C Schofield expressed concern regarding the action of SMART PATCH.

The Veterinary Officer reported that after the necessary consultations SMART PATCH was assessed as being suitable to race.

WEALTHY EMPLOYEE began only fairly and then was bumped by TASHIDELEK which shifted in.

HONGKONG GREAT and KIRAM bumped at the start.

HONGKONG GREAT then shifted out and made contact with SMART PATCH.

DECISIVE ACTION travelled keenly approaching and passing the 1200 Metres when being steadied in an attempt to obtain cover.

DECISIVE ACTION was then left racing wide and without cover near the 1000 Metres.

Approaching the 700 Metres, BEAUTY DAY raced tight between HONGKONG GREAT and DECISIVE ACTION (J Moreira) which shifted in marginally.

BEAUTY DAY was then steadied and shifted to the outside of DECISIVE ACTION approaching the 600 Metres as a result of DECISIVE ACTION shifting in when not properly clear.

J Moreira was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, REYNOLDS was unable to improve when awkwardly placed behind WEALTHY EMPLOYEE and inside TASHIDELEK.

After the 400 Metres, DECISIVE ACTION raced waywardly and lay in.

DECISIVE ACTION then shifted out abruptly when corrected by its rider.

Then approaching the 300 Metres, DECISIVE ACTION shifted out under pressure.

Approaching the 350 Metres, NATURAL WINNER and BEAUTY DAY bumped.

Passing the 300 Metres, CHEERFUL LEADER was awkwardly placed inside SMART PATCH.

K Teetan (MR ALDAN) dropped his right rein near the 250 Metres.

Approaching the 250 Metres, NATURAL WINNER and BEAUTY DAY bumped.

After the race, Z Purton was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance of BEAUTY DAY.

He said today was only BEAUTY DAY's second start since early December last year.

He added the horse travelled only fairly and then gave ground over the latter stages.

A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY DAY immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a minor laceration to the left front fetlock.

K Teetan stated that MR ALDAN did not travel well at any stage of the race and was always off the bridle.

He said he had to continually ride the horse along in an endeavour to improve its position, however, MR ALDAN did not respond to his riding and then in the Straight gave ground noticeably.

A veterinary inspection of MR ALDAN immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea.

The performance of MR ALDAN, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, MR ALDAN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned, Apprentice C L Chau stated that from the from the outside barrier he was asked to shift MORE THAN A HORSE behind runners in the early stages and obtain cover.

He said after steadying his mount shortly after the start MORE THAN A HORSE did not show any early speed and he had to ride his mount quite vigorously in an attempt to keep touch with the main body of the field.

He said, despite being ridden along for a considerable distance in the early stages, MORE THAN A HORSE became detached from the field and it was not until near the 900 Metres than the horse commenced to travel better.

He said MORE THAN A HORSE was able to join the field approaching the 700 Metres and then after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn finished off the race strongly.

A veterinary inspection of DECISIVE ACTION immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

CHEERFUL LEADER, HELLO DADDY and SMART PATCH were sent for sampling.

Samples were also taken from SUCH A HAPPINESS.