Recap by phillip woo

Second favourite Georgian Sigma settled fourth before hitting the front near the 200m and just hanging on for a first win at his ninth start. He deserved the win after six minor placings. Well backed Iron Security stayed on nicely to finish a close second after a rails run from better than midfield. It was a career-best effort ninth start. Master Champion hit the line nicely near the outside to just miss second prize money after a wide trip with cover travelling midfield. He relished a return to the course of a win last season after failing twice at Sha Tin to start his campaign. Brilliant Turn produced a fine effort to place fourth after a one-off trip from midfield. It was a solid debut run. Firming favourite Superb King gradually faded after attacking the pace along the inside travelling in the box seat. Golden Ace came from last to finish next best. He's crying out for a longer trip. Grand Nova ran on without threatening travelling second last following a sluggish start. Whacked late in betting, Mapogo will sleep well after vying for the front four wide from gate 12.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five : (83) - THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1000Meters

Horse No 1 GRAND NOVA (J323) R Kingscote Jumped only fairly.

Near the 550 Metres was steadied to avoid VIGOR EYE which shifted in to resume its position after hanging out.

Horse No 2 MASTER CHAMPION (K266) H Y Yuen When questioned regarding her riding out over the concluding stages Apprentice H Y Yuen stated that after placing her mount under full pressure with the whip MASTER CHAMPION commenced to finish the race off well.

She said approaching the finish of the event MASTER CHAMPION shifted in towards IRON SECURITY and as she was concerned her mount would make contact with IRON SECURITY and potentially cause interference she desisted from riding her mount with the whip and as a result she did not fully test the horse out to the finish of the event with full vigour although she was able to continue to encourage MASTER CHAMPION to the end of the race.

After considering the evidence the Stewards accepted the explanation of Apprentice Yuen, however, she was warned that in similar circumstances she should demonstrate to the Stewards with her concern by straightening her mounts rather than desisting from using the whip.

Horse No 3 COPPER CORE (L214) K C Leung Bumped shortly after the start.

After travelling a short distance became unbalanced when bumped by GEORGIAN SIGMA which shifted out slightly.

Between the 200 Metres and the 100 Metres was held up when disappointed for clear running between MAPOGO and MASTER CHAMPION.

COPPER CORE then could not be fully ridden out to the finish when racing in restricted room between MAPOGO and GRAND NOVA.

Horse No 4 SUPERB KING (K479) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 VIGOR EYE (L068) H Bentley Noted to have blood in the mouth on arrival at the Start, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed suitable to race.

Hung out near the 600 Metres despite the efforts of its rider.

The racing manners of VIGOR EYE were considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, VIGOR EYE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend.

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

Horse No 6 BEAUTY SHOW (L260) A Atzeni A Atzeni stated that he was instructed to go forward but his mount was unable to cross runners to his inside which resulted in it being obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

He added that BEAUTY SHOW was further disadvantaged when MAPOGO was positioned to his outside which resulted in BEAUTY SHOW then weakening noticeably in the Home Straight.

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

The performance of BEAUTY SHOW was considered disappointing.

Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY SHOW will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination which must include additional diagnostic assessments.

Horse No 8 GEORGIAN SIGMA (L007) Y L Chung After travelling a short distance shifted out and made contact with COPPER CORE.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 GOLDEN ACE (L461) B Avdulla Shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between COPPER CORE and MASTER CHAMPION which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.

When questioned regarding his riding B Avdulla stated that with the anticipated fast early pace he expected the horse to settle back in the field.

He said GOLDEN ACE, which was having its second race start, raced greenly throughout the event.

He added near the 200 Metres he commenced to improve between VIGOR EYE and BRILLIANT TURN, however, when his mount continued to race greenly and he was of the opinion VIGOR EYE which had hung out on the first turn may shift ground, he was obliged to ride his mount with some caution at this point.

He added after establishing a run between VIGOR EYE and BRILLIANT TURN near the 150 Metres he was able to apply full vigour to his mount and after being shifted to the inside of SUPERB KING to continue into clear running leaving the 100 Metres, he was still obliged to ride his mount with some caution, particularly when improving close to GEORGIAN SIGMA.

Horse No 10 IRON SECURITY (L174) P N Wong Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 11 JACKSON HABIT (L036) A Badel Leaving the 600 Metres was severely checked when crowded between COPPER CORE and VIGOR EYE (H Bentley) which hung out despite the efforts of its rider.

Horse No 12 MAPOGO (L175) K Teetan When questioned K Teetan stated that his instructions were to go forward and attempt to lead as MAPOGO races best in this position.

He said from the outside barrier he rode his mount along in the early stages to comply with those instructions but was unable to cross BEAUTY SHOW when that runner remained three deep.

He said approaching the first turn near the 600 Metres he continued to ride MAPOGO forward as he had anticipated BEAUTY SHOW crossing GEORGIAN SIGMA and SUPERB KING which would allow him to obtain a position one off the rail.

He said when BEAUTY SHOW did not show sufficient pace to cross runners to its inside this resulted in MAPOGO being obliged to race very wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Trainer K L Man confirmed the instructions issued.

Having regard to his explanation and the sectional times of the event which identified the race being run near standard time the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Teetan were reasonable in the circumstances.