Recap by phillip woo

Tamra Blitz got up late after getting held up mid-straight until the last 100m from midfield to post a second win, his first in the grade, from his past three starts. He's come into his own now and another win this season won't surprise. Seasons Bliss made it close on the wire after a box seat run. It was his best run in the grade following a 98-day break between runs. Never Too Soon ran nicely near the inside to just miss by a short head. He's not reliable. Naboo Legend was collared for a placing in the dying stages after briefly hitting the front 60m out in a pace-pressing role from a tricky gate. He does appear to be heading in the right direction. Golden Artie was yielding ground over the last 100m after surprisingly lead role from gate one. He's better ridden held up for a run. Punted late Stunning Impact couldn't really gain a clear run over the final 200m with his bid from behind midfield. Favourite Beauty Missile peaked on his move 100m out after a wide with cover trip from behind midfield. Not Usual Star weakened after getting posted wide without cover from midfield. The move to an inexperienced claimer backfired.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (454) - CITI MORTGAGE SERVICES HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

GOLDEN EMPIRE was withdrawn on 25.2.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ERIMO (K Teetan).

Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN EMPIRE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

CIRCUIT NINE stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost ground.

HYPER DRAGON BALL shifted out abruptly on jumping, resulting in its rider, L Hewitson, becoming unbalanced and HYPER DRAGON BALL losing ground.

TAMRA BLITZ jumped awkwardly and soon after was then bumped by BEAUTY MISSILE (Z Purton) which after shifting in and bumping with ERIMO then shifted out.

After the race, Z Purton stated that when his mount jumped awkwardly, this necessitated him having to adjust his right stirrup iron shortly after the start.

ERIMO and NOT USUAL STAR bumped at the start.

When caught wide in the early stages, CRYSTAL POWERFUL was steadied in an attempt to obtain cover approaching the 1200 Metres and in doing so commenced to race keenly for some distance thereafter, however, was left racing wide and without cover from the 800 Metres when BEAUTY MISSILE shifted in to a position three deep.

In the early part of the Straight, ERIMO experienced some difficulty obtaining clear running.

After the 400 Metres, HYPER DRAGON BALL was shifted to the outside of CRYSTAL POWERFUL to secure clear running and when being shifted out was awkwardly placed close to CRYSTAL POWERFUL.

Near the 250 Metres, STUNNING IMPACT was disappointed for running between NOT USUAL STAR and TAMRA BLITZ when TAMRA BLITZ shifted out.

After obtaining clear running near the 200 Metres, STUNNING IMPACT then became held up over the final 100 Metres when positioned behind NABOO LEGEND, resulting in STUNNING IMPACT not being able to be fully tested to the finish of the race.

Near the 150 Metres, TAMRA BLITZ became held up for clear running behind NABOO LEGEND and was shifted to that runner's outside to secure clear running.

Also near the 150 Metres, NOT USUAL STAR was steadied when crowded between PARTERRE and BEAUTY MISSILE (Z Purton) which shifted in.

Z Purton was reprimanded and advised to make a greater effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

A short distance later, PARTERRE and BEAUTY MISSILE bumped when BEAUTY MISSILE continued to shift in.

Over the concluding stages, NOT USUAL STAR could not be ridden out to the finish of the race when held up behind BEAUTY MISSILE.

NOT USUAL STAR raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

BEAUTY MISSILE, TAMRA BLITZ and SEASONS BLISS were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 3, the track classification for the turf course was officially changed from "Good??to "Good to Firm?? This change in the opinion of the Stewards should be recorded as being retrospective.

As a consequence of this, the official results will show Race 3 being run on a track rated "Good to Firm??

2.

Races 8 - 10 were each put back 5 minutes.

3.

Addition to Racing Incidents Report of 22 February 2023 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 7 (442) After the 1000 Metres, CHEONG FAT became unbalanced when racing tight to the inside of FIERY FLYING which shifted in slightly when being steadied away from the heels of HIGH CLOUD.

4.

Racing Laboratory tests of SHENRON, DIAMOND SOARS, KOWLOON EAST STAR, WONDER YEARS, CABLE SPEED, G ONE EXCELLENT, ATOMIC ENERGY, SUNNY DELIGHT, SPLENDID LOVING, FEARLESS FIRE, VICTORY SCHOLARS, SEE U AGAIN, WIND SPEEDER, SMILING TIME, EIGHTEEN PALMS, RIGHTEOUS ARION, SON PAK FU, ISLAND SURPRISE, SOLID IMPACT, LUCKY EIGHT, JUMBO LEGEND, NIMBLE NIMBUS and GALLANT WAKING (15.2.23) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: BEAUTY LIVE on 23.2.23 on veterinary advice.

Race 10: GOLDEN EMPIRE on 25.2.23 on veterinary advice.

2.

Fine Race 8: L Hewitson (NICHOLSON RETURNS): $60,000 for careless riding near the 200 Metres.

3.

Reprimand Race 10: Z Purton (BEAUTY MISSILE) for shifting in near the 150 Metres.

4.

Warnings Race 1: B Shinn (KILLER INSTINCT) for shifting in near the 700 Metres.

Race 5: B Shinn (RUN RUN COOL) for shifting in passing the 400 Metres.

5.

Suspension Race 8: L Hewitson (NICHOLSON RETURNS) for careless riding near the 200 Metres (from 29 March 2023 until 3 April 2023 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

6.

Barrier Trials Race 5: LUCKY EIGHT Race 7: KA YING STAR Race 9: BEAUTYVERSE

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: BEAUTY LIVE Race 5: LUCKY EIGHT Race 7: KA YING STAR Race 9: BEAUTYVERSE Race 10: GOLDEN EMPIRE

8.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement MIXED - Turf A+3 Course / All Weather Track, the false outside rail was placed at 4 metres.

9.

Rolling Arrangement The track was not rolled today.