Recap by phillip woo

Victor The Rapid settled better than midfield on the rail before hitting the lead 150m out and proving too good for a second win at his 20th start. He's always a chance in Class Four over the Valley 1,200m. Jolly Companion ran on well for second after a prominent run along the inside from gate one. He was able to back up a win last start despite carrying 8lb more. Giant Ballon found a couple too smart after slotting third with cover one off the fence from gate 11. He can deliver a win at any moment after filling the frame in three consecutive runs. Power Summit finished nicely near the inside to spice up the quartet after a patient ride fourth last from gate five. It was clearly his best effort. Fortune Supernova ran on steadily for fifth after a one-off trip from behind midfield. It was his best performance from four starts this term. Favourite Fatal Blow only plodded when asked for an effort after a one-off trip from midfield. The big weight took its toll. Loving Vibes just held his ground when asked for more after a one-off trip travelling better than midfield. It was a below par effort after filling the frame in three prior runs.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (406) - WANG TAK HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 FATAL BLOW (J484) H Bowman Bumped on jumping.

H Bowman stated that throughout the middle stages his mount was disadvantaged when LOVING VIBES gave ground in front when it was steadied and raced ungenerously.

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

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 2 VICTOR THE RAPID (J393) C L Chau Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 GIANT BALLON (K451) Z Purton Jumped awkwardly.

Approaching the 300 Metres was bumped and taken wider by JOLLY COMPANION.

Near the 200 Metres bumped with JOLLY COMPANION due to both runners shifting ground.

Z Purton stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to take up a forward position.

Trainer D J Whyte confirmed the instructions issued as he was of the opinion there was not strong pace in the race.

Horse No 5 MAJESTIC LIFE (L085) Y L Chung From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 6 JOLLY COMPANION (H454) C Y Ho On jumping shifted out, made heavy contact with GIMME FIVE and became unbalanced.

C Y Ho was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 300 Metres (see LOVING VIBES).

Near the 200 Metres bumped with GIANT BALLON due to both runners shifting ground.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 LOVING VIBES (J359) M Guyon C Y Ho (JOLLY COMPANION) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 300 Metres he shifted his mount out when insufficiently clear of GIANT BALLON, resulting in GIANT BALLON being taken out across the running of LOVING VIBES, resulting in LOVING VIBES having to be checked.

C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at Happy Valley.

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

When questioned M Guyon stated that in the early stages he was able to hold a position behind FLASH STAR.

He said near the 800 Metres when GIANT BALLON improved to his outside he raced in restricted room for a short distance to the inside of that runner and when he was aware JOLLY COMPANION was positioned to his inside he was obliged to remain racing one-off.

He said as he had expected FLASH STAR to continue forward and lead he did not contest the position behind that runner and as a consequence GIANT BALLON was able to cross to obtain a trailing position behind FLASH STAR.

He said when FLASH STAR then remained racing one-off the rail this resulted in LOVING VIBES racing keenly and shifting out and being obliged to race further back as a consequence.

After considering his explanation the Stewards advised Jockey Guyon that in the circumstances he had made an error of judgement by not attempting to hold his position to the inside of GIANT BALLON to avoid losing ground in the middle stages.

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

Horse No 8 PRIDE BELIEVER (K501) A Badel A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 9 FLASH STAR (K431) R Kingscote In the Home Straight lay in when placed under pressure and approaching the 200 Metres shifted in and made contact with GIMME FIVE.

R Kingscote advised that from the outside barrier he was instructed to take up a forward position.

He said FLASH STAR then raced too keenly in the lead before giving ground in the Home Straight.

Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions and advised that he issued those instructions as he felt there was not strong pace in the race.

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

Horse No 10 GIMME FIVE (J099) D Probert On jumping shifted out and made heavy contact with FATAL BLOW.

As a result GIMME FIVE became unbalanced, shifted in and made further contact with JOLLY COMPANION.

Near the 200 Metres was bumped by FLASH STAR.

Horse No 11 NAMJONG KINGDOM (K015) L Hewitson Jumped only fairly.

After travelling a short distance was eased when racing in restricted room between PRIDE BELIEVER and MAJESTIC LIFE.

Making the first turn got its head up when being eased to avoid POWER SUMMIT which shifted out slightly.

Noted to have bled from both nostrils after the race.

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

Horse No 12 POWER SUMMIT (K044) K Teetan Jumped only fairly.

Leaving the 900 Metres got its head up when being shifted in to obtain a position with cover behind VICTOR THE RAPID.

For a short distance near the 150 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running between VICTOR THE RAPID and GIMME FIVE.