Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Heavenly Thought just held on after hitting the front 250m out following a box-seat run for a first win at his 18th start. The writing had been on the wall and he was able to deliver up in grade off a light weight. Winning Delight finished nicely one down the outside after a one-off run behind midfield to make it close on the wire. It was a return to form after failing to menace in four prior starts at either track. Surrealism peaked on his run 100m out from behind midfield on the fence but was still able to hold Zhan Jiang Rocks for third. He's racing well without winning. Zhan Jiang Rocks kept grinding away following a one-out, one-back run. It was another honest effort over this Valley trip but is finding the opposition richer at this level. Old-timer Great Treasure was motoring late down the outside after making his run at the rear of the field. He rarely produces a bad run. Superb Daddy came up one-paced over the last 100m after looming as a chance.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (414) - KWAI CHUNG HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

SUPERB DADDY shifted in at the start and was steadied away from the heels of HEAVENLY THOUGHT.

UNIVERSAL GO GO began awkwardly, shifted out and inconvenienced GREAT TREASURE.

SURREALISM was slow to begin.

From the outside barriers, GREAT TREASURE and BIG BANG BONG were steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

TOTAL POWER was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover.

For some distance approaching and passing the 1300 Metres, AWE, when left racing wide and without cover, was steadied in an attempt to obtain a trailing position.

UNIVERSAL GO GO, which was following AWE, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

After being left racing wide and without cover, AWE was then allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 700 Metres at which stage UNIVERSAL GO GO (C Y Ho) was left racing wide and without cover.

After the race, C Y Ho stated that the circumstances of the race did not suit his mount.

He said after being awkwardly placed for a considerable distance behind AWE when racing in a three wide position, UNIVERSAL GO GO then came under pressure when racing without cover after the 700 Metres.

He said after being left racing without cover after the 700 Metres, UNIVERSAL GO GO was taken wider still by WINNING DELIGHT after the 500 Metres when that horse shifted out.

He added whilst the horse was disappointing, in his opinion, there were a number of circumstances which accounted for its poor run.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SUPERB DADDY and HAR HAR HEART raced tight.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that at its most recent run ZHAN JIANG ROCKS had got too far out of its ground due to the circumstances of the race.

He said as it was anticipated that there was not much speed engaged in tonight's race, he suggested to connections that it would be in the best interests of ZHAN JIANG ROCKS to try and obtain a more forward positon given that he would not have to do too much work on the horse in the early stages to cross runners to its inside.

He said after discussing the tactics with the connections, it was agreed for ZHAN JIANG ROCKS to be ridden more prominently if possible.

He said ZHAN JIANG ROCKS began well and he was able to obtain a forward position without having to make too much use of the horse.

He said although ZHAN JIANG ROCKS did not have cover in the middle stages, it travelled well and after obtaining cover behind AWE near the 700 Metres, he shifted ZHAN JIANG ROCKS to the outside of that horse rounding the Home Turn and it then finished off the race well.

A veterinary inspection of UNIVERSAL GO GO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

HEAVENLY THOUGHT and WINNING DELIGHT were sent for sampling.