Recap by phillip woo

Well backed Noble Deluxe travelled one off in third from gate four before rushing to the lead 150m out and proving too good for a maiden win at his 18th start. He had been knocking on the door in a good number of his opening nine starts this term. Only U flashed home late through the centre to snatch second after getting held up early in the straight travelling two from the rear. It was a solid effort at his first run over the dirt 1,200m. Macanese Master grudgingly gave way after quickly making the lead following a sluggish start. He was able to back up a win last start at the Valley. Excellent Daddy came from last and widest out for fourth. It was a return to form by the nine-year-old. Firming favourite Robot Knight plodded after a prominent run on the fence. He had no excuse. Punted late Sonic Boom stayed on next best after a wide trip without cover from behind midfield. General Smart made some ground late after making his run one from the rear. Exceed The Wish never landed a blow after a rails run from midfield. He didn't handle the dirt despite a class drop.

Racing Incident Report

Race One : (365) - KAM SHAN HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 EXCEED THE WISH (J480) L Hewitson Near the 900 Metres was steadied when being shifted in behind SONIC BOOM.

Shifted out and away from NOBLE DELUXE near the 300 Metres and made slight contact with SMART ENGINEER.

L Hewitson stated that his mount, which was having its first race start on the All Weather surface, would be better suited by racing at Happy Valley and dropping back in distance to 1000 Metres.

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

Horse No 3 YOUNG STRIKER (K029) D Probert Near the 200 Metres lay in and away from NOBLE DELUXE, made contact with ROBOT KNIGHT and became unbalanced.

D Probert reported that he was requested to ride the horse where comfortable.

He said when his mount jumped well and with blinkers being applied for the first time he allowed the horse to stride forward and race outside the lead.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have a respiratory condition which requires further assessment.

Horse No 4 GENERAL SMART (K138) Z Purton Jumped awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with EXCELLENT DADDY.

Held up for clear running between the 200 Metres and the 100 Metres.

Horse No 5 ROBOT KNIGHT (H464) E C W Wong Near the 350 Metres shifted out and bumped with NOBLE DELUXE.

Near the 200 Metres became unbalanced when crowded between MACANESE MASTER and YOUNG STRIKER which lay in and away from NOBLE DELUXE.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 ONLY U (J037) K Teetan Jumped only fairly.

When questioned K Teetan stated that with the horse dropping back in distance to 1200 Metres he expected it to settle behind midfield and he had been requested if possible to make his run out wide in the Home Straight as ONLY U had been held up at its previous race starts.

He said after settling in a position behind RICH HORSE he observed that horse shift out from the 600 Metres which then resulted in ONLY U improving to the inside of that runner.

He said although his instructions were to come wide in the Home Straight he elected to follow SONIC BOOM which he considered to be one of the chances in the race with a view to then improving to the inside of RICH HORSE and shifting that horse out to allow him to obtain clear running.

He said his decision to do so was also influenced by the fact that he would have been required to ease his mount to shift to the outside of RICH HORSE to secure clear running wider on the track.

He added that as he improved to the inside of RICH HORSE that runner held its position and SONIC BOOM did not improve as he had anticipated which resulted in ONLY U being held up for clear running between the 350 Metres and the 300 Metres before finishing the race off well thereafter.

After considering his explanation the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Teetan were reasonable in the circumstances.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 RICH HORSE (J191) J Orman Near the 300 Metres was steadied when crowded between ONLY U which shifted out slightly and EXCELLENT DADDY which shifted in.

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

J Orman was warned in relation to using his whip on a horse that was out of contention.

Horse No 8 SMART ENGINEER (K244) D B McMonagle Leaving the 800 Metres raced tight to the inside of NOBLE DELUXE which lay in and away from YOUNG STRIKER.

Taken out near the 300 Metres.

Horse No 9 EXCELLENT DADDY (E321) K C Leung Jumped only fairly and then was bumped by GENERAL SMART which shifted in.

Horse No 10 NOBLE DELUXE (K052) A Atzeni Near the 350 Metres became unbalanced when bumped by ROBOT KNIGHT which shifted out.

As a result NOBLE DELUXE then became awkwardly placed close to YOUNG STRIKER as that runner commenced to give ground, resulting in NOBLE DELUXE having to be steadied and shifted to the outside of YOUNG STRIKER to obtain clear running.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 11 MACANESE MASTER (J532) M F Poon Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 12 SONIC BOOM (H144) M Guyon Blundered on jumping.

Near the 300 Metres EXCEED THE WISH shifted out and away from NOBLE DELUXE, resulting in SMART ENGINEER being taken out onto SONIC BOOM which was hampered and taken wider.

M Guyon reported that over the concluding stages he had some concern with his mount when he felt there may be something amiss with it.

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

Before being allowed to race again, SONIC BOOM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.