Recap by phillip woo

Romantic Laos was too good after hitting the front near the 100m following a perfectly executed ride for a fifth win from 30 starts. Beato ran on nicely through the middle to just win a battle for second after making his run one off the rail in midfield. It was a good run. Soleil Fighter lost second late after moving to the lead 300m out from gate six. He was able to back up a last-start win. From gate 12, Aestheticism took the short route home from near last at the top of the straight and ran on well in the closing stages to just miss a placing as the early favourite. He is close to a win at this level. Fortune Superstar gradually gave way after clearing to lead from gate five. He doesn't appear from his past two starts to be far off a winning run. M Unicorn ran on without threatening settling towards the rear from gate 11. Gracious Express was given every chance after a box-seat run but found little over the last 100m. He didn't handle both a rise in trip and switch to the Valley.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten : (296) - NEPTUNE HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 GRACIOUS EXPRESS (J188) B Avdulla After the event, B Avdulla stated that although his mount enjoyed a comfortable run with cover behind the leaders, in his opinion, GRACIOUS EXPRESS performs best when able to dictate terms.

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

Horse No 2 HAMERON (H265) A Pouchin Making the Home Turn was taken wider by M UNICORN which shifted out to improve.

After the event, A Pouchin reported that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages.

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

Horse No 3 M UNICORN (G466) M L Yeung From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 4 ROMANTIC LAOS (G476) C L Chau Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 SOLEIL FIGHTER (J127) H Bowman Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 COMET SPLENDIDO (G071) M F Poon Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 7 AESTHETICISM (H289) Z Purton From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 9 GLORIOUS JOURNEY (J137) M Chadwick H Bentley (OUR LUCKY GLORY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of GLORIOUS JOURNEY, resulting in GLORIOUS JOURNEY striking the heels of OUR LUCKY GLORY and blundering.

H Bentley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 12 January 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 16 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Bentley was fined $25,000.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good riding record.

Raced wide and without cover from the 750 Metres.

Horse No 10 BEATO (H090) Y L Chung Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 12 OUR LUCKY GLORY (G292) H Bentley H Bentley pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1000 Metres (see GLORIOUS JOURNEY).

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GENERAL:

1.

Additions to Racing Incidents Report of 22 December 2024 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 10 (286) SUPERB CAPITALIST - Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

I GIVE - Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

2.

Racing Laboratory tests of GLUCK RACER, SO AWESOME, MANYTHANKS FOREVER, YODA'S CHOICE, FLYING PHANTOM, HARRY'S HERO, TRIUMPHANT MORE, NEWBORN MIRACLE, GRAND NOVA, CIRCUIT JOLLY, SOLID WIN, BEAUTY ALLIANCE, BALLISTIC WIN, THE HEIR, NEW FUTURE FOLKS, FAST NETWORK, I GIVE, STELLAR EXPRESS, KAHOLO ANGEL, TOURBILLON PRINCE, ARMOUR WAR EAGLE, SWIFT ASCEND, MEOWTH, CAP FERRAT, MICKLEY and PACKING TURBINE (15.12.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1 FAIRY HORSE at barriers on veterinary advice Race 3 SO WE SING on 25.12.24 on veterinary advice

2.

Fines Race 6 H Bentley (LUCKY GENERATIONS): $2,000 for double declaration Race 10 H Bentley (OUR LUCKY LUCKY): $25,000 for careless riding near the 1000 Metres

3.

Warnings Race 1 H Bentley (WINNING HEART) for shifting in after the 600 Metres Race 4 L Hewitson (OWNERS' PRAISE) for shifting out after the 1100 Metres Y L Chung (PRIME MORTAR) for shifting in after the 1100 Metres A Atzeni (CRYSTAL POWERFUL) for shifting in after the 1100 Metres Race 5 A Badel (TO INFINITY) for shifting out near the 400 Metres Race 7 A Pouchin (TEAM HAPPY) for shifting out for some distance approaching the 300 Metres

4.

Suspensions Race 5 Y L Chung (SILVER KING) for careless riding near the 1500 Metres (Wednesday, 8 January 2025 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) Race 6 M L Yeung (TOGEPI) for careless riding near the 1000 Metres (from Wednesday, 15 January 2025 until Monday, 20 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays) L Hewitson (GLORY B) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (Wednesday, 15 January 2025 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) Race 10 H Bentley (OUR LUCKY GLORY) for careless riding near the 1000 Metres (from Sunday, 12 January 2025 until Thursday, 16 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays)

5.

Bleeders Race 4 HIGH PERCENTAGE (2nd time) Race 6 SKY FOREVER (2nd time)

6.

Barrier Trials Race 1 FAIRY HORSE (barrier manners) Race 2 KA YING RESILIENCE (disappointing performance) Race 5 HAPPY AGAIN (unacceptable performance)

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 FAIRY HORSE Race 2 KA YING RESILIENCE Race 3 SO WE SING Race 5 CLASSIC CENTURY HAPPY AGAIN Race 6 ZETTA FORCE

8.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Races 4 and 7