Recap by phillip woo

Rising Force had a speed-tracking run from gate 14 and after claiming the lead near the 300m pole was much too good for a second win at his turf debut from four starts. It was a huge training performance following a suspensory injury. Favourite Crossborderpegasus ran on well for second despite proving a handful to steer following a patient ride five back and two off the fence. He remains a work in progress but does clearly have a tonne of raw ability. Punted late Happy Index just lost second late after a handy run one off the fence from gate nine. It was a good run on his local debut. Pegas battled on well for fourth after a prominent run. Like the latter, it was a good first effort in Hong Kong. Aerodynamics was doing his best work late for fifth after travelling third last from gate 11. It too was an encouraging maiden local effort.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (311) - CHA KWO LING HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 CALL ME GLORIOUS (H410) J Orman Noted to have bled from both nostrils after the race.

Before being allowed to race again, CALL ME GLORIOUS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 2 CROSSBORDERPEGASUS (K008) H Bowman When questioned H Bowman stated that throughout the early and middle stages of the event his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover, however, raced tractably during that section of the race.

He said in the Home Straight when positioned to the outside of HAPPY INDEX his mount commenced to lay in when he urged it forward, however, he was able to maintain a reasonably straight course.

He said once CROSSBORDERPEGASUS improved past HAPPY INDEX it hung in which required him to stop riding and place significant pressure to his left rein to prevent it from shifting in and causing interference which resulted in CROSSBORDERPEGASUS becoming unbalanced and losing momentum at that point.

He added that after he was able to pull his whip through to his right hand near the 100 Metres CROSSBORDERPEGASUS finished the race off reasonably well although it did lay in.

When questioned regarding the carriage of his whip in the left hand H Bowman stated that as it is his preference to carry the whip in his left hand he decided that he would do so during the running of this race.

He said when the horse initially hung in he did not believe it was necessary to pull the whip through as his focus was on maintaining a straight course and, in his opinion, the fact that he carried his whip in his left hand in the early stages of the race had no effect on his ability to ride the horse out as he was able to pull it through to his right hand near the 100 Metres in his usual manner.

Trainer J Size stated that the horse had competed in 4 barrier trials leading up to today's first up performance where he and the Stewards had been satisfied with the horse's racing manners.

After considering the matter the Stewards advised Mr Size that CROSSBORDERPEGASUS must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards from a wide barrier where it would be required to be ridden out in the Home Straight under raceday pressure to the outside of other horses before being allowed to race again.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 MATTERS MOST (K154) E C W Wong Apprentice E C W Wong reported that his mount was disadvantaged by being pressured in the lead by RISING FORCE and as a result did not finish the race off in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 4 SAVVY BRILLIANT (J437) Z Purton Jumped awkwardly.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils.

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

Horse No 6 HAPPY INDEX (L152) C L Chau Bumped shortly after the start.

Near the 100 Metres was bumped by CROSSBORDERPEGASUS which hung in.

Horse No 8 LUCKY CANDY (L041) K C Leung Over the final 100 Metres could not be fully tested when held up behind MATTERS MOST.

K C Leung stated that the intention was to hold a more forward position but after being slow to begin his mount settled back in the field.

Horse No 9 PEGAS (L075) M Chadwick Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced.

Horse No 11 MIGHTY COMMANDER (J360) D Probert Shifted in on jumping and became unbalanced when it made contact with HAPPY INDEX.

Raced keenly in the middle stages.

Approaching the 150 Metres was steadied when briefly disappointed for clear running between A TIME FOR US and NEVER TOO SOON.

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

Horse No 14 RISING FORCE (K236) R Kingscote Sent for sampling post-race.