Recap by phillip woo

Well backed late, Apolar Fighter responded nicely through the centre to claim Sterling Wongchoy 100m out after a well-executed ride three back on the fence for a second win from his past three Valley 1,650m starts. He'll now return to Class Four in the form of his life. Sterling Wongchoy kept on gamely for second after shooting to the front 200m out following a box-seat run on the back of leader Viva Chaleur. He should be winning shortly if he remains in the grade. Favourite Courier Magic ran on late near the inside to just miss second after a rails run from behind midfield. It was another honest performance. Punted late, Strongest Boy rattled home late down the outside for fourth after a patient ride one from the rear. He tends to mix his form. Beauty Missile ran on well for fifth after a wide trip without cover travelling third last from gate 10. He should find his mark shortly in this grade. Gale Saga peaked on his run 50m out following a handy run one off the fence. Smashing Express ran on late without threatening along the inside after biding his time three from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (190) - TAI HANG HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 COURIER MAGIC (H290) Z Purton Shifted in at the start and was bumped.

Near the 1400 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from APOLAR FIGHTER.

Bumped near the 100 Metres.

Z Purton reported that his mount lay out throughout the event.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 STERLING WONGCHOY (H273) H Bowman Bumped on jumping.

Near the 1500 Metres, STERLING WONGCHOY, which was racing keenly, was steadied to avoid LOADED WITH FLUKE (R Kingscote) which shifted in and away from VIVA CHALEUR.

Whilst the Stewards accepted that R Kingscote had made some effort to correct his mount he was advised to exercise more care.

Near the 100 Metres brushed with APOLAR FIGHTER when that runner shifted in slightly.

As a result STERLING WONGCHOY then shifted in and away from APOLAR FIGHTER and made contact with COURIER MAGIC.

H Bowman was questioned in relation to his right arm extending out and away from his body over the concluding stages which resulted in it being placed near the head of COURIER MAGIC.

H Bowman explained that he was riding his mount out in his usual manner during that stage of the race and was gathering his reins at this point which resulted in his right arm extending out and away from his body.

He added towards the finish of the event his actions did not change although he did concede his right arm was positioned close to the head of COURIER MAGIC.

Z Purton, rider of COURIER MAGIC, stated that he was not aware this incident occurred during the running of the race.

After considering his evidence the Stewards accepted the explanation of Jockey Bowman that he did not intentionally place his right arm in the vicinity of COURIER MAGIC, however, he was advised to ensure that, wherever possible, his arm does not make contact with another horse during the running of the race.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 APOLAR FIGHTER (J169) C L Chau Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 BEAUTY MISSILE (H123) A Badel Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 7 DECRELOT (J551) L Ferraris L Ferraris stated that the instructions were to go forward.

He said when DECRELOT did not show sufficient pace in the early stages to do so it settled back in the field.

He added that throughout the event DECRELOT appeared to be displaying a respiratory issue and as a consequence when not in a competitive position in the Home Straight he did not ride it out to the finish of the event.

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

The performance of DECRELOT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, DECRELOT 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 8 VIVA CHALEUR (G368) Y L Chung When questioned Y L Chung stated that his instructions were to attempt to find a position midfield with cover.

He said from the outside barrier VIVA CHALEUR jumped well and as a result was able to hold a forward position in the early stages.

He added that with blinkers being applied for the first time VIVA CHALEUR over-raced throughout the early stages which resulted in the horse improving to the lead.

He further stated that although he was aware that the sectional times were being run inside of standard time he was unable to set a more sustainable pace as VIVA CHALEUR was racing too keenly and would not respond to his efforts to come back.

He said due to its racing manners VIVA CHALEUR weakened in the Home Straight.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have an epiglottic entrapment.

Horse No 9 FOREMOST TEDDY (J058) P N Wong Shifted out at the start and made contact with SMASHING EXPRESS.

Near the 250 Metres blundered when briefly crowded for room between BEAUTY MISSILE and COURIER MAGIC which lay out.

Apprentice P N Wong stated that the instructions were to go forward.

She said her mount failed to show sufficient pace in the early stages to do so which resulted in it settling further back in the field before being unable to finish the race off in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 10 SMASHING EXPRESS (J252) B Avdulla On jumping was crowded by FOREMOST TEDDY which shifted out.

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