Recap by phillip woo

Happily Friends got up near the 100m following a pace-stalking run to score a maiden success in a class record time. It was not a surprise as he was threatening to score all season long. The well-backed Loriz shared the early lead, cornered nearly two lengths on top and wouldn't go down without a fight when headed for the lead. He was well rated and relished a return to his favourite course and distance. Amigos Giggle stayed on reasonably well for a placing after a handy run along the fence. He was able to build on a positive debut effort at Sha Tin and it's only a matter of time before he salutes. Punted late, Monster Kaka just failed to get up for a placing after biding his time among the backmarkers from a middle draw. He rarely produces a bad run in this grade but lacks the desire to win. Casa De Forca ran on without threatening after making his run fourth from the rear. It was a better effort but he hasn't been able to get into a rhythm in his three starts following a tendon injury. Drifting favourite Ice Legend never threatened after over-racing deep with cover in a prominent spot. He had shown ability to place in two of three prior starts but does appear to need more time to settle in.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (829) - SUNG TAK HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

TOP ACCOLADE began only fairly.

AMIGOS GIGGLE and SUPERB DADDY bumped at the start.

CASA DE FORCA began only fairly, shifted out on jumping and was checked away from the heels of TOP MILITARY.

Then from a wide barrier, CASA DE FORCA was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

When being steadied to obtain a position with cover from a wide barrier, TOP MILITARY was momentarily steadied away from the heels of MOST WELCOME shortly after the start.

Passing the 700 Metres, SO AWESOME was left racing wide and without cover and then after the 500 Metres got its head on the side and lay out.

After the 900 Metres, ICE LEGEND got its head on the side and lay in away from MOST WELCOME.

Then approaching the 800 Metres, ICE LEGEND momentarily raced tight inside MOST WELCOME (C Schofield) which shifted in.

ICE LEGEND then got its head on the side and hung in abruptly across the running of ORION PATCH which was hampered.

C Schofield was advised that whilst the Stewards considered that this incident was largely due to the racing manners of ICE LEGEND, nonetheless he had originally shifted in when not properly clear of that horse.

He was told to ensure that he provides comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances.

After this incident, ORION PATCH continued to be awkwardly placed inside the heels of ICE LEGEND which lay in away from MOST WELCOME when racing greenly.

This resulted in ORION PATCH being steadied away from the heels of ICE LEGEND near the 650 Metres.

ICE LEGEND continued to lay in and approaching the 600 Metres bumped AMIGOS GIGGLE which became unbalanced.

Passing the 100 Metres, LORIZ raced tight inside HAPPILY FRIENDS which shifted in under pressure.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ICE LEGEND, J Moreira stated that his mount raced greenly for the majority of the event.

He said the horse did not travel strongly at any stage when shifting ground on a number of occasions.

He said he placed ICE LEGEND under pressure after the 500 Metres, however, the horse did not quicken and after staying on one-paced rounding the Home Turn then failed to finish off the race over the latter stages.

A veterinary inspection of ICE LEGEND immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, ICE LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of SO AWESOME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

ICE LEGEND, HAPPILY FRIENDS and LORIZ were sent for sampling.