Recap by phillip woo

Fast And Furious was patiently ridden third from the rear and two deep, switched off a wall a horses for a clear run six deep at the 300m and finished willingly to run down Good Method in the final few metres for a maiden win at his 12th start. Favourite Good Method was prominently ridden along the fence, bumped with Golden Gunners while trying to should his way out at the head of the straight, swept to the front 150m out and found one just too good in the end for back-to-back seconds at this level. Smart Planet eased back to sit at the rear, straightened near five deep and finished willingly to give the tierce some value. Golden Gunners only held his ground after pulling out three deep rounding the final bend following a one-off run in third to just hold equal-favourite Safari Magic for a Quartet spot with a return to Class Five. Safari Magic kept on reasonably well after a deep run without cover from a wide gate. He won't be far off a winning run at this level. Innovative Winner stayed on better after a rails run in midfield with a gear change to blinkers. Thunderstroke was ridden forward to lead from a wide gate, was briefly headed to his outside by Joy Together and grudgingly gave way over the last 100m.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (490)-VITAL KING HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1400Metres

C K Tong (INNOVATIVE WINNER) was fined the sum of $2,000 for presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number.

INNOVATIVE WINNER began only fairly.

ALL IS WELL shifted out at the start and bumped GREAT SPEED which became unbalanced.

A short distance after the start, GREAT SPEED was then steadied when crowded for room between ALL IS WELL and BERNARD'S CHOICE which was taken in by JOY TOGETHER (C Schofield).

C Schofield was advised to exercise more care.

Passing the 1300 Metres, PLAIN BLUE BANNER and FAST AND FURIOUS bumped on a number of occasions due to both horses shifting ground.

JOY TOGETHER lost its left front plate near the 1200 Metres.

GOLDEN GUNNERS travelled keenly in the early and middle stages.

In the early part of the Straight, PLAIN BLUE BANNER hung in and passing the 350 Metres shifted in, resulting in INNOVATIVE WINNER racing tight between PLAIN BLUE BANNER and ALL IS WELL.

On a number of occasions in the early part of the Straight, GOLDEN GUNNERS was bumped by GOOD METHOD (G Mosse) which shifted to the outside of JOY TOGETHER to obtain clear running.

In this incident, GOOD METHOD also became unbalanced as a consequence of the contact.

G Mosse was advised to exercise due care when shifting ground to obtain clear running in similar circumstances.

G Lerena (FAST AND FURIOUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of BERNARD'S CHOICE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

GREAT SPEED, which was following BERNARD'S CHOICE, was inconvenienced in consequence.

G Lerena was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 7 April 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Thursday, 31 March 2016.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Lerena's good overall race riding record.

Near the 50 Metres, PLAIN BLUE BANNER was crowded for room inside THUNDERSTROKE which shifted in marginally.

When directed out to relieve the tightening to PLAIN BLUE BANNER, THUNDERSTROKE shifted out abruptly and became unbalanced.

For the majority of the race, MASQUERADER and JOY TOGETHER travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JOY TOGETHER was lame in its left front leg with a puncture wound to the sole of the left front foot.

Before being allowed to race again, JOY TOGETHER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

FAST AND FURIOUS and GOOD METHOD were sent for sampling.