Recap by phillip woo

Hardly Swears travelling behind midfield on the fence after being steadied early on, barged his way into the open 200m out and quickened nicely to take control 50m out for a third straight win despite a rise in class. Joyful Union finished well despite being held up early straight travelling second last following a slow start. Favourite Perfect Glory stayed on well for a placing following a midfield run on the fence. The big weight took its toll. Beauty Spark gave a better sight to holding onto a Quartet spot after vying for the lead inside Mr Picasso with a 10-pound claimer on his back. It was an improved run in first-time blinkers with a switch to the Valley carrying a light weight. Smart Leader kept on reasonably well despite getting posted three-deep without cover near the speed from a wide gate. He rarely produces a bad run over this Valley trip. Reel Bizzy made headway late near the inside after a patient ride third from the rear. He needed the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (185) - THE AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB TROPHY (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Meters

SMART LEADER and BREEDERS' STAR made heavy contact on jumping, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced.

After this, from a wide barrier, BREEDERS' STAR was shifted across behind runners.

From wide barriers, JOYFUL UNION and REEL BIZZY were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Shortly after the start, BEAUTY SPARK (Apprentice K H Chan) commenced to shift in, resulting in HARDLY SWEARS racing tight outside PERFECT GLORY.

As Apprentice Chan attempted to straighten BEAUTY SPARK, he dropped his left rein which resulted in BEAUTY SPARK shifting in further as Apprentice Chan attempted to regather the rein.

This resulted in HARDLY SWEARS being checked and losing ground near the 1150 Metres.

When HARDLY SWEARS was checked, PREFECT GLORY became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by that horse.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that Apprentice Chan had attempted to straighten BEAUTY SPARK in a timely manner, he was told that he must continue to develop his riding skills to ensure that he is able to maintain appropriate control of his mounts to prevent causing interference.

Making the turn after the 1100 Metres, SMART LEADER was steadied in an endeavour to obtain cover behind MR PICASSO.

Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, MONKEY JEWELLERY became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of FLYING SWORD which shifted out when making the turn awkwardly.

Also near the 1050 Metres, JOYFUL UNION shifted in and made contact with HARDLY SWEARS which became unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in JOYFUL UNION momentarily racing in restricted room inside NATURAL WINNER.

Approaching the 700 Metres, SMART LEADER was left racing wide and without cover.

Shortly after entering the Straight, PERFECT GLORY momentarily raced tight inside BEAUTY SPARK which shifted in before being corrected.

Passing the 400 Metres, REEL BIZZY was shifted to the inside of JADE THEATRE and was then steadied when disappointed for running between that horse and NATURAL WINNER.

REEL BIZZY was then shifted to the inside of NATURAL WINNER approaching the 200 Metres to obtain clear running.

M L Yeung (HARDLY SWEARS) pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres when riding his mount out with the whip in the right hand, he directed HARDLY SWEARS out across the heels of MR PICASSO and into the rightful running of FLYING SWORD when not clear of that horse which resulted in FLYING SWORD being checked and being forced out onto NATURAL WINNER, causing that horse to be hampered and taken out onto JADE THEATRE which was checked when crowded for room inside MONKEY JEWELLERY.

In this incident, SMART LEADER was bumped by HARDLY SWEARS as that horse shifted out.

Mr L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 27 November 2019 and to expire on Monday, 16 December 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (6 Hong Kong racedays).

Approaching the 100 Metres, JOYFUL UNION was bumped by BEAUTY SPARK which shifted in.

A veterinary inspection of BREEDERS' STAR and JADE THEATRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

A veterinary inspection of MONKEY JEWELLERY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, MONKEY JEWELLERY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

PERFECT GLORY, HARDLY SWEARS and JOYFUL UNION were sent for sampling.