Recap by phillip woo

Charming Babe ran on from second last and, despite ducking in under pressure, just collared Dan Attack for a third win from 26 starts. He relished a return to his favourite Valley 1,200m after running well in one of two Sha Tin sprints. Dan Attack found one too good after improving three wide 600m out following a handy run to lead 250m out. He's as honest as the day is long. Friends Of Shajing kept on well for third after settling third and one off with cover coming to the final bend. He's a winner waiting to happen at this level. Favourite Brownneedsfurther kept coming late for fourth after straightening three from the right following a wide trip travelling three from the rear. It was a decent effort carrying top weight following a win. Golden Brilliant came up one paced after a prominent run on the fence. Mega Awesome was doing his best work late to just miss fifth prize money after making his at the rear from gate 12. Free Pony kept on evenly after a wide trip with cover travelling behind midfield. Victor The Rapid was withdrawn by order of the stewards on veterinary advice.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five : (103) - FINANCE HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 BROWNNEEDSFURTHER (K325) B Avdulla Near the 450 Metres was steadied when crowded by FREE PONY (M L Yeung) which shifted in when not sufficiently clear.

M L Yeung was reprimanded and advised he must ensure he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside.

When questioned B Avdulla stated that he was given no specific instructions where to settle other than to ride his mount dependent on how it jumped.

He said BROWNNEEDSFURTHER jumped only fairly and after being bumped by LUCKY TWENTY this resulted in a number of runners drawn beside him showing more early pace.

He said in the early stages when positioned to the outside of EVERSTAR and GOLDEN BRILLIANT he was unable to cross those runners and therefore he elected to obtain a trailing position behind EVERSTAR to avoid covering additional ground.

He said when the pace of the event steadied in the middle stages BROWNNEEDSFURTHER commenced to race keenly and after improving into a tight run between EVERSTAR and FREE PONY near the 700 Metres raced tight between those two runners for some distance thereafter before having to be steadied near the 450 Metres.

He added that in the circumstances he was satisfied with the finishing effort of BROWNNEEDSFURTHER.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 2 FRIENDS OF SHAJING (K202) C L Chau When questioned regarding his riding C L Chau stated that his instructions were to go forward from a wide barrier and race in or behind the lead dependent on the pace of the event.

He said after jumping well he was able to ride forward to cross runners to his inside where he was positioned to the outside of LUCKY TWENTY.

He added that when positioned back off LUCKY TWENTY he made a decision to endeavour to find cover behind that runner in order to allow his mount to settle.

He said as he did so M F Poon, rider of LUCKY TWENTY, steadied the pace further and as a consequence DAN ATTACK improved quickly to his outside which resulted in FRIENDS OF SHAJING settling further back.

Trainer W K Mo confirmed the instructions were to go forward with the expected slow early pace.

After considering his explanation and the sectional times of the event which showed the early and middle stages were run outside of standard time, Jockey Chau was advised that he had made an error of judgement in electing to take a position with cover behind LUCKY TWENTY.

He was further advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to show better judgement than what he did on this occasion.

Horse No 5 CHARMING BABE (J513) H Y Yuen Jumped only fairly.

Hung in in the Home Straight, resulting in its rider Apprentice H Y Yuen changing her whip through to her right hand leaving the 200 Metres and having to stop riding and straighten her mount on a number of occasions.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 DAN ATTACK (H317) H Bentley Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 8 CORNERSTONE (K519) R Kingscote Jumped only fairly, shifted out and made contact with FREE PONY.

Near the 400 Metres became unbalanced when bumped by EVERSTAR which shifted in.

Horse No 10 EVERSTAR (K264) K Teetan In the early stages raced keenly.

For some distance near the 900 Metres was steadied to avoid DAN ATTACK.

Again near the 800 Metres became unbalanced when it got its head up whilst being steadied away from DAN ATTACK.

K Teetan reported that his mount raced keenly during the event due to the slow pace and refused to settle.

He said near the 450 Metres EVERSTAR, which was laying out, was then steadied to avoid BROWNNEEDSFURTHER when that runner was taken in by FREE PONY.

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

Horse No 11 LUCKY TWENTY (K392) M F Poon On jumping shifted out and made contact with BROWNNEEDSFURTHER.

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

Horse No 12 FREE PONY (K229) M L Yeung Kicked a rail in the Parade Ring, was examined by the Veterinary Officer on arrival at the Start and passed suitable to race.

Bumped at the start.

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

Horse No 4 RUN RUN SUNRISE (K552) K C Leung Was a late withdrawal acting on veterinary advice after sustaining an injury to the left hip whilst being transported to the course.

Before being allowed to race again, RUN RUN SUNRISE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 7 VICTOR THE RAPID (J393) C Y Ho Was withdrawn at the Start by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice after it was found to be lame in its right front leg.

Before being allowed to race again, VICTOR THE RAPID will be subjected to an official veterinary examination which must include additional diagnostic assessments.