Recap by phillip woo

M Unicorn settled third last from gate 10 and swooped down the outside to hit the front near the 100m marker and win going away from his rivals. He shed his maiden tag on his 10th start after putting the writing on the wall at Sha Tin on opening day when he was an eye-catching second over an inadequate 1,200m. Winning Data stayed on well to win a blanket finish for second following his one-out, one-back run. The blinkers and switch to 1,650m at Happy Valley inspired his best run. Celtic Times stayed on well to just miss second after getting all the favours in the box seat. He should find a bottom in this grade soon. Amazing Boy shifted inside tiring Spangle Fortune 150m out and stayed on steadily to just miss a placing. He is always a chance over this Happy Valley trip. Concerto finished the next best after travelling one off the rail in midfield. He performed OK carrying more weight than when winning both of his final two starts last term. Kasa Papa came up one-paced after having to wait for a clear path in the home straight. He had an excuse. Fearless Fire will sleep well after getting caught wide without cover.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (51) - MAGPIE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

BEAU GOSSE was withdrawn on 26.9.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CELTIC TIMES (Z Purton).

Before being allowed to race again, BEAU GOSSE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

FORTUNE PRESIDENT jumped only fairly and then was crowded by CELTIC TIMES which shifted out.

On jumping, FLYING SILVER and CONCERTO raced tight between MULTIWIN and AMAZING BOY which shifted out.

FEARLESS FIRE shifted in at the start and bumped SPANGLE FORTUNE.

From a wide barrier, MAXIMIZE HEART was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

From the outside barrier, KASA PAPA was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages and then raced keenly in the middle stages.

WINNING DATA raced keenly in the early and middle stages.

Near the 200 Metres, AMAZING BOY improved into a narrow run between MULTIWIN and SPANGLE FORTUNE and a short distance later was accidently struck over the nose by the whip of K C Leung (SPANGLE FORTUNE).

K Teetan (WINNING DATA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of CONCERTO, resulting in CONCERTO being taken out, crowding the running of FLYING SILVER which was checked and also contributed to FEARLESS FIRE being crowded to the inside of M UNICORN (H Bentley) which also shifted in slightly.

K Teetan was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 at Happy Valley.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record.

H Bentley was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in, contributing to FEARLESS FIRE being crowded for room.

For a short distance approaching the 200 Metres, KASA PAPA was held up for clear running behind CELTIC TIMES.

Near the 100 Metres, MULTIWIN, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when crowded by AMAZING BOY which, after being bumped by SPANGLE FORTUNE (K C Leung) when that runner shifted in, then shifted in and away from SPANGLE FORTUNE.

K C Leung was advised to exercise more care.

FEARLESS FIRE was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the race.

K Teetan was fined the sum of $5,000 for raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder in the Home Straight.

After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that MULTIWIN had sustained a wound to the left stifle.

A veterinary inspection of FLYING SILVER and FORTUNE PRESIDENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

CELTIC TIMES, M UNICORN and WINNING DATA were sent for sampling.