Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Fighting Star kept on gamely after turning the final bend four lengths on top driving to the front along the fence 900m out. He was well rated and relished the downgrade with a return to blinkers. Specked late Speedstar ran on nicely to finish a close second after a speed-chasing run. He had done nothing in five starts but appreciated the downgrade like the winner and move to a 10-pound claimer. Little Player ran on steadily for a placing after a handy run one off the fence. He can produce an odd good run now and then. Euromissile finished next best after getting posted three wide without cover in a prominent spot. It was a return to form on his past few starts. Alloy Star made headway without threatening after a rail run from behind midfield. It was a better run at his second start this term. Viva A La held his ground after a one-off trip from midfield. He's limited. Takingufurther made some ground late despite a wide run without cover four from the rear. Sunshine Legendary ran on without ever looking a chance ridden for luck near last from gate 14. He got too far back in the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (330) - HUNG SHUI KIU HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

TOWARDS SUCCESS began awkwardly and got its head up when being steadied from a wide barrier to obtain cover.

From the outside barriers, DASHING GENIUS and SUNSHINE LEGENDARY were steadied to obtain cover.

Passing the 1100 Metres, LITTLE PLAYER and ALLOY STAR bumped.

After initially being ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED was left racing very wide and without cover at the 900 Metres and then was steadied after the 900 Metres to obtain cover.

Approaching the 800 Metres, DASHING GENIUS got its head up when awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUNSHINE LEGENDARY.

SUNSHINE LEGENDARY raced close to the heels of TAKE WHAT YOU NEED approaching the 700 Metres.

EUROMISSILE travelled wide and without cover until the 600 Metres.

ALLOY STAR had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and rounding the Home Turn and at the 400 Metres was awkwardly placed outside the heels of LITTLE PLAYER which shifted out to improve.

Then on entering the Straight, ALLOY STAR was eased when disappointed for running between VIVA A LA and LITTLE PLAYER.

Approaching the 150 Metres, ALLOY STAR was struck across the nose by the whip of M L Yeung (VIVA A LA) as ALLOY STAR and VIVA A LA raced tight.

As a result of being struck over the nose, ALLOY STAR became unbalanced.

Then over the concluding stages, ALLOY STAR got its head on the side and lay out under pressure.

Throughout the race, TAKINGUFURTHER travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, C L Chau stated that the connections of COMPULSORY had been disappointed with the manner in which the horse had recently been finishing off in its recent races when ridden in a forward position.

He said he was asked to ride COMPULSORY in about a midfield position or worse than midfield with cover today if possible.

He said COMPULSORY then raced further back in the field today than expected after beginning awkwardly.

When questioned, Apprentice Y L Chung (SPEEDSTAR) stated that whilst FIGHTING STAR had opened up a significant lead over his mount after the 600 Metres, the race at this time was being run at a good tempo.

He said he was concerned that if he commenced to ride his mount along prior to the Home Turn in an endeavour to make up ground behind FIGHTING STAR with the pace of the race as it was, SPEEDSTAR would be found wanting over the latter stages and therefore he elected to hold his mount together rounding the Home Turn and commenced to ride SPEEDSTAR along on entering the Straight to make up ground.

He said after viewing the videos of the race, he believed that he had erred in not commencing to ride his mount along sooner than he did to be closer to the lead.

Apprentice Chung was told to be alert to the positioning of his horses and to ensure that they are placed under sufficient pressure at the appropriate time so as to finish the race off as best as they are able.

A veterinary inspection of TOWARDS SUCCESS immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, TOWARDS SUCCESS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of SUNSHINE LEGENDARY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

FIGHTING STAR and SPEEDSTAR were sent for sampling.