Recap by phillip woo

Odds-on favourite Amazing Star was much too good after cornering two lengths on top leading outright from gate one to stylishly win both outings this term. Promoted runner Flying Sword ran on steadily to grab second near the 50m travelling better than midfield. It was clearly his best run to date at his fourth start. Punted late Namjong Sings closed off reasonably well from beyond midfield to just grab a placing. Very Rich Man kept on well to just miss a placing after stalking the speed. It was his best effort from seven starts in the grade. Top Score ran on without menacing from behind midfield. He again found things too rich with a return to Class Three here. Perfect Glory kept on evenly after a midfield run. The big weight again took its toll. You can forgive Planet Star, who beat a few after jumping slowly. Super Wise was stopping 150m out after a box-seat run. He's too high in the handicaps after a second Sha Tin win in May.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (263) - VENUS HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1200Meters

FAIRY TWINS was withdrawn on 17.12.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left front medial sesamoid) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FLYING SWORD.

Before being allowed to race again, FAIRY TWINS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

On arrival at the Start, G van Niekerk expressed concern regarding the action of COMFORT LIFE.

Acting on advice from the Veterinary Officer that COMFORT LIFE was lame in the left hind leg, that horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

Before being allowed to race again, COMFORT LIFE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SUPER WISE began only fairly and then was bumped by VERY RICH MAN which shifted in.

From wide barriers, AMBITIOUS HEART and MR PICASSO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Making the first turn, PLANET STAR travelled keenly and was shifted out away from the heels of HINCHINLOVE, resulting in AMBITIOUS HEART being taken wider.

SUPER WISE made the turn awkwardly and shifted out towards the heels of VERY RICH MAN.

Near the 150 Metres, PERFECT GLORY shifted in and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VERY RICH MAN.

Then after the 100 Metres, PERFECT GLORY was steadied away from the heels of FLYING SWORD (N Callan) which shifted in under pressure.

N Callan was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that it was anticipated that tonight's race would be run at a fast tempo and as there were a number of horses that were drawn more favourably than PLANET STAR that had shown good speed, it was thought that the horse would not have sufficient speed to be able to cross those horses and he was therefore asked to take up a position in advance of midfield.

He said PLANET STAR did not begin well and he felt that if he had ridden his mount along, PLANET STAR may have been left racing wide and without cover and therefore he elected to obtain a trailing position behind HINCHINLOVE which he felt would be shifted across with PERFECT GLORY and obtain a midfield position.

He said however HINCHINLOVE was steadied to obtain cover behind PERFECT GLORY and this resulted in PLANET STAR racing much further back in the field than had been intended.

Trainer P O'Sullivan confirmed the instructions and stated that he was of the view PLANET STAR had lost some of its early speed and he felt that too much use would have to be made of the horse were it to be ridden aggressively to lead or race outside the leader.

He added it was not intended for PLANET STAR to race as far back in the field as it did tonight, however this was due to the manner in which the horse began.

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

AMAZING STAR and FLYING SWORD were sent for sampling.