Recap by phillip woo

After making his run from better than midfield, odds-on favourite Dragon Four Seas responded to get up 50m out for a first win at his ninth start. He relished a step back to 1,200m after placing three times over 1,400m from five earlier runs this term. Solar River stuck on gamely for second after claiming the lead from Inno Century soon after straightening following a pace-stalking run on the fence. He lived up to a trial win wearing cheek pieces. The late-fancied Joyful Treasure ran on steadily for third after a prominent run one off the fence. He was able to build on an OK eighth on debut 11 days ago. Positive Smile was held up for the entirety of the straight following a handy run along the inside from gate two. You can put a pen through his run. Groovy Feeling ran on steadily for fifth after a wide trip with cover from midfield. It was a decent effort following a close third on his debut last month. View All Things was making noticeable ground late to finish next best after a one-off trip from behind midfield. It was an encouraging effort on debut. Perfect Peach ran on without threatening.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (338) - WU KAU TANG HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 POSITIVE SMILE (J467) M L Yeung Between the 300 Metres and the 150 Metres was held up for clear running.

When being shifted to the outside of SOLAR RIVER near the 150 Metres to attempt to obtain clear running made contact with INNO CENTURY.

Horse No 2 GROOVY FEELING (J515) B Thompson Jumped only fairly.

B Thompson was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference leaving the 800 Metres (see DRAGON FOUR SEAS).

Horse No 3 INNO CENTURY (K113) Z Purton Near the 150 Metres was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced.

After the event, Z Purton stated that his mount, which was having its first race start, would derive benefit from today's performance.

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

Horse No 4 JOYFUL TREASURE (J496) L Hewitson Shifted out on jumping despite the efforts of its rider, was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced.

Held up making the Home Turn.

Horse No 5 VIEW ALL THINGS (K101) K Teetan Bumped on jumping and then shortly afterwards shifted in, was contacted on the hindquarters and became unbalanced.

After the event, K Teetan reported that his mount raced greenly, hung in throughout and in the Home Straight proved difficult to ride out.

Horse No 6 ROBOT KNIGHT (H464) Y L Chung Prior to declaration time, the Stewards were informed by Jockey Y L Chung that he had inadvertently accepted to ride both ROBOT KNIGHT and CAMP FIRE.

In the subsequent inquires made between the respective trainers and jockey, it was established that Jockey Chung had first committed to ride ROBOT KNIGHT.

As such, the Steward permitted K De Melo to be substituted as the rider of CAMP FIRE.

For this error, Jockey Chung was fined $2,000.

K C Leung pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of ROBOT KNIGHT, resulting in ROBOT KNIGHT losing its running and having to be checked.

K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 13 February 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Leung was fined $110,000.

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

Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

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

Horse No 7 LITTLE SQUID (K050) H T Mo Crowded shortly after the start.

Near the 600 Metres was steadied when momentarily crowded by VIEW ALL THINGS which shifted in when racing greenly.

Over the final 50 Metres could not be ridden out when awkwardly placed behind INNO CENTURY which was giving ground.

Horse No 8 DRAGON FOUR SEAS (J317) K C Leung Shortly after the start was badly crowded.

B Thompson (GROOVY FEELING) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that leaving the 800 Metres he placed unnecessary pressure on DRAGON FOUR SEAS, resulting in DRAGON FOUR SEAS being crowded for some distance thereafter and being awkwardly placed on the heels of POSITIVE SMILE.

B Thompson was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 at Happy Valley.

In addition, Jockey Thompson was fined $15,000.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 1 and also considered his neutral race riding record.

K C Leung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 300 Metres (see ROBOT KNIGHT).

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 SOLAR RIVER (J308) C L Chau Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 TACTICAL COMMAND (H197) E C W Wong When questioned regarding his riding in the early stages and the reason his mount lost ground from the main body of the field, Apprentice E C W Wong stated that his instructions from the outside barrier were to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages.

He said TACTICAL COMMAND jumped well and when it was travelling strongly soon after the start, he elected to restrain his mount to comply with his instructions and to ensure that it did not hold a forward position.

He said as a result he lost ground on the main body of the field and agreed with the Stewards that in retrospect he had restrained his mount too long in the early stages which resulted in it losing ground.

Apprentice Wong was advised that in similar circumstances he must show better judgment to ensure that his mounts are given every possible chance to win and obtain the best possible placing.

Horse No 11 CAMP FIRE (J259) K De Melo Shortly after the start was severely checked when crowded between VIEW ALL THINGS which was taken in by PERFECT PEACH when that runner shifted in after making contact with ROBOT KNIGHT and LITTLE SQUID which was taken out by DRAGON FOUR SEAS when that runner was crowded by JOYFUL TREASURE which shifted out despite the efforts of its rider.

In the middle stages raced keenly.

Approaching the 600 Metres was checked to avoid LITTLE SQUID.

Between the 450 Metres and the 250 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when being shifted out.

Horse No 12 PERFECT PEACH (E488) M Chadwick Crowded on jumping.