Recap by phillip woo

Speed Dragon relished the strong early pace to come from last and widest out to just overhaul the late-fancied Californiatotality for an upset win. He appreciated a switch to the Valley and step up to 1,800m after failing to menace in his opening two Sha Tin runs this term. It was another brave performance by Californiatotality who found one too smart on the day after moving to the lead 280m out tracking a genuine pace from gate 10. It was a fine initial performance at the Valley following Sha Tin wins in two of three prior starts. Quantum Patch ran on strongly to finish a close third following a patient ride near the rear from gate 11. It was a better effort at his second outing this term, but he is a well-rated runner. Early favourite Noble Pursuit made headway late near the inside for fourth without threatening the top three after making his run five back on the fence. It was another honest effort. Simple Hedge wove a run through the middle for fifth after settling midfield on the fence. Super Unicorn made some ground without threatening after a one-off trip from midfield as the post-time favourite.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (336) - CLEVELAND HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1800Meters

Horse No 2 SPEED DRAGON (H380) C Y Ho From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

C Y Ho pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see SUNSTRIDER).

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 SAMARKAND (H070) C L Chau C L Chau will be warned in relation to using his whip in a manner where his whip arm was raised above shoulder height on several occasions over the concluding stages.

Horse No 4 CALIFORNIATOTALITY (H418) B Avdulla Shifted in at the start and was bumped.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 SIMPLE HEDGE (H237) A Badel Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 6 SUPER UNICORN (H481) K C Leung After the event, K C Leung reported that when the pace of the event eased in the middle stages his mount raced keenly and got its head up when being steadied away from SAMARKAND.

He said as a result SUPER UNICORN was one-paced to the finish of the event.

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

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 QUANTUM PATCH (H166) M F Poon From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 9 SUNSTRIDER (J168) K Teetan Crowded shortly after the start by NOBLE PURSUIT which shifted out.

C Y Ho (SPEED DRAGON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SUNSTRIDER, resulting in SUNSTRIDER having to be checked to avoid SPEED DRAGON.

C Y Ho 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 assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record.

Horse No 10 TOY SOLTERO (J268) Z Purton Trainer C W Chang confirmed the instructions were to lead tonight's event.

He said TOY SOLTERO had pleased the stable leading into the race but may not have appreciated leading and this was the only explanation he could offer for TOY SOLTERO weakening in the Home Straight.

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

The performance of TOY SOLTERO was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts.

Before being allowed to race again, TOY SOLTERO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 11 DILBAGH (K055) L Hewitson Near the 700 Metres was steadied to avoid SUPER UNICORN.

For some distance near the 250 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running.

Horse No 12 SURE JOYFUL (G125) M Chadwick On jumping was crowded by CALIFORNIATOTALITY which shifted in.

After the event, M Chadwick reported that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight.

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

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GENERAL:

1.

Racing Laboratory tests of COUNTRY DANCER, COSMO NAVIGATOR, HO HO STAR, MANYTHANKS FOREVER, REGENCY HAPPY STAR, WINNING DRAGON, BRAVEHEARTS, ENDEARED, SHAMUS STORM, MASTEROFMYUNIVERSE, BIENVENUE, MR ENERGIA, JOLLY COMPANION, THE ABSOLUTE, STRATHPEFFER, DRAGON FOUR SEAS, HEROIC MASTER, CHEVAL VALIANT, SUPER FORTUNE, FULL CREDIT, MUST GO, TOURBILLON PRINCE, MARKWIN and STORM RIDER (29.12.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 1 TATTENHAM at barriers on veterinary advice

2.

Severe Reprimand Race 1 K De Melo (CERVIN) re his riding between the 300 Metres and the 150 Metres

3.

Reprimands Race 4 C L Chau (DRACO) for shifting out near the 150 Metres Race 5 C L Chau (KA YING POWER) for shifting in over the concluding stages Z Purton (SPIRIT OF PEACE) for shifting out after the 200 Metres

4.

Warnings Race 1 K C Leung (PEGASUS GENERAL) for shifting in near the 200 Metres M F Poon (PODIUM) re his riding out over the concluding stages Race 2 B Thompson (SHINE BRIGHT) for shifting out approaching the 200 Metres Race 3 C L Chau (GOOD LUCK WIN) re his riding in the early stages Race 4 A Pouchin (SHINKANSEN) for shifting in near the 150 Metres Race 5 K Teetan (TALENTS SUPREMO) re his riding on the Home Turn Race 7 H Bowman (MOMENTS IN TIME) for shifting in near the 600 Metres Race 8 A Badel (SPICY GOLD) for raising his whip arm above shoulder height over the concluding stages Race 9 C L Chau (SAMARKAND) for raising his whip arm above shoulder height over the concluding stages

5.

Suspensions Race 1 Apprentice E C W Wong (GALLANT CROWN) for careless riding near the 100 Metres (Sunday, 19 January 2025 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) Race 9 C Y Ho (SPEED DRAGON) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (from Sunday, 12 January 2025 until Thursday, 16 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays)

6.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 2 AFFIRM

7.

Barrier Trials Race 1 TATTENHAM (barrier manners) Race 2 AFFIRM (heart irregularity) Race 3 NINJA DERBY (disappointing performance) Race 9 TOY SOLTERO (disappointing performance)

8.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 TATTENHAM Race 2 AFFIRM Race 3 HYPER DRAGON BALL FOREMOST TEDDY NINJA DERBY Race 9 TOY SOLTERO

9.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 5