Recap by phillip woo

Matters Most led and kept finding after turning the final bend a length on top for a third win from 16 starts and two of three outings this term. He makes his own luck in front. New Future Folks wove a run near the inside to nab favourite Super Strong Kid in the final few metres for second. He's run well to place both times over the Sha Tin 1,200m from three outings this term. Super Strong Kid had his chance after a prominent run on the fence but found a couple too good in the end. It was another honest effort. Triumphant More stayed on well for fourth after a wide trip with cover travelling midfield from gate 11. He's giving a good sight in back-to-back runs following a gear change to visors. Heaving ran on well for fifth after making his run at the rear. It was a pleasing effort on his local debut. Armour Golden Eagle made inroads late near the inside without threatening after travelling fourth last on the fence. It was a good effort first up in Hong Kong.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (225) - CLASS 3 1200M TURF HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 MATTERS MOST (K154) E C W Wong Apprentice E C W Wong pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference passing the 1100 Metres (see LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC).

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 2 HEAVING (K576) L Ferraris Jumped only fairly.

In the early stages got its head up when being shifted across behind runners.

Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 300 Metres made contact with CORNERSTONE when being shifted to the outside of TRIUMPHANT MORE.

Horse No 3 NEW FUTURE FOLKS (J418) J McDonald Jumped awkwardly.

Between the 350 Metres and the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 ALPHA STRIKE (L019) C Y Ho Bumped shortly after start.

Checked passing the 1100 Metres (see LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC).

Raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages of the event and refused to settle.

C Y Ho stated that his mount was crowded in the early stages before giving ground in the Home Straight.

Trainer C Fownes stated that, in his view, the disappointing performance was due to the manner in which the horse raced throughout the early and middle stages.

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

The performance of ALPHA STRIKE, a last start winner, was considered disappointing.

Before being allowed to race again, ALPHA STRIKE 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 6 SUPER STRONG KID (K180) Z Purton Bumped with ALPHA STRIKE shortly after the start.

Making the first turn near the 900 Metres hung out and made contact with GOLDENTRONICMIGHTY which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.

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

He added that when racing tight to the inside of ALPHA STRIKE in the early stages his mount lost ground when it shifted out towards ALPHA STRIKE.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 ARMOR GOLDEN EAGLE (K566) A Atzeni On jumping made heavy contact with LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC, became unbalanced, shifted in and made contact with ALPHA STRIKE.

Held up for clear running between the 450 Metres and the 350 Metres.

Near the 250 Metres was steadied and shifted to the inside of ALPHA STRIKE to continue into clear running.

Horse No 8 CORNERSTONE (K519) M F Poon Bumped near the 300 Metres.

Horse No 9 TAOGETHER (K520) K Teetan Jumped only fairly.

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

Horse No 10 BIGTIME GENERATION (K496) R Kingscote Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 11 GOLDENTRONICMIGHTY (K002) M L Yeung Shifted in making the first turn near the 900 Metres and made contact with SUPER STRONG KID.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported.

Horse No 12 LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC (K436) M Chadwick Made heavy contact with ARMOR GOLDEN EAGLE on jumping.

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

Apprentice E C W Wong (MATTERS MOST) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1100 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC, resulting in LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC having to be checked to avoid MATTERS MOST and further he continued to allow his mount to shift in when not clear of ALPHA STRIKE, resulting in ALPHA STRIKE having to be also checked to avoid MATTERS MOST.

Apprentice Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 and to expire on Sunday, 21 December 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 neutral race riding record.

M Chadwick stated that after being crowded in the early stages his mount raced too keenly before giving ground in the Home Straight.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, LIGHTNESS OF MUSIC will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No WINGS OF WAR (H162) H Bentley Withdrawn on 29.11.25 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (irregular heart rhythm) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter MATTERS MOST.

Before being allowed to race again, WINGS OF WAR will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.