Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Beauty Glory led from barrier six and held off Grateful Heart's late surge for just his second Hong Kong win from his 27 local starts. He relished carrying only 116 pounds. Grateful Heart ran on nicely along the inside to make it close on the wire. He has made good impressions in both of his starts this season. Sweet Briar stayed on well for third after travelling effectively one out and one back from his tricky gate. It was another honest effort. Favourite Lightning Bolt plodded after getting all the favours chasing the leader from barrier five. His heavy weight took its toll. Backed late, Jumbo Fortune ran on late to finish the next best after travelling three from the rear. It was a better effort on his fourth start this term, and he is not far off a drop in class. Ready To Win came up flat over the final 100m after getting caught wide near the speed from gate 11. He did not enjoy the best of runs on his return to Class Four following his last-start victory. Luckly Gor was a non-factor after his wide trip worse than midfield. E Universe did not feature after badly missing the start.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight : (155) - SHEK O HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 LIGHTNING BOLT (G130) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 2 GRATEFUL HEART (D278) A Atzeni Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 KIMBERLEY (H329) L Currie Jumped awkwardly and then shortly after the start was badly crowded by SWEET BRIAR which shifted in abruptly.

Horse No 5 STORM LEGEND (G139) A Badel Crowded at the start.

Horse No 6 BEAUTY GLORY (E459) Y L Chung Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 SWEET BRIAR (H044) L Hewitson Jumped awkwardly and shifted in abruptly.

Horse No 8 YOUTH POWER (H358) K C Leung Near the 1000 Metres commenced to race keenly when positioned tight to the inside of SWEET BRIAR.

In the middle stages over-raced and near the 700 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from SWEET BRIAR.

Horse No 9 LUCKY GOR (G217) L Ferraris Shortly after the start was hampered when crowded between READY TO WIN and SWEET BRIAR which shifted out.

When questioned regarding his riding, L Ferraris stated that he was instructed from a wide barrier to ride LUCKY GOR conservatively in the early stages, preferably in a midfield position.

He said after jumping well he endeavoured to comply with his instructions, however, LUCKY GOR raced keenly and when he received a call from riders to his inside, he was obliged to make the first turn wide.

He added as a result LUCKY GOR continued to race keenly along the Back Straight and although his mount was racing keenly, he was reluctant to allow LUCKY GOR to stride forward given the wide run it had experienced in the early stages.

Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions issued and advised that such instructions were issued as LUCKY GOR had performed well when ridden behind the pace on 27 September 2023.

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

Horse No 10 READY TO WIN (E422) M Chadwick Hampered and taken wider shortly after the start.

Horse No 11 JUMBO FORTUNE (G195) K Teetan After the 200 Metres was bumped by YOUTH POWER which shifted in.

Horse No 12 E UNIVERSE (H151) M L Yeung Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards considered as to whether E UNIVERSE had been afforded a fair start.

After taking evidence from M L Yeung, Trainer K L Man and Starter, Mr A Speechley, the Stewards found that E UNIVERSE, which had been assisted by a starting gate handler when it was being fractious, had its head turned slightly to the side as the start was effected, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, such occurrence had not resulted in E UNIVERSE being subjected to an unfair start and as a result it was declared a runner.

Before being allowed to race again, E UNIVERSE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

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