Recap by phillip woo

Papas sat outside the leader Dr Bullion, assumed the lead three deep at the 300m, drew clear by nearly four lengths at the 200m and came home well in hand. He relished the wet track conditions. Speedy was patiently ridden from gate 14, swung the final bend with one wider out and was finishing off strongly to secure second. He's always a capable performer at this level. Grandfield settled three back and one-off the fence, rallied four wide upon straightening and ran on well for a placing. General Danroad settled ahead of midfield on the rails, loomed a place threat at the 200m and came up one-paced over the last 100m. Fast Intentions was rated third from the rear, swung the final bend with two wider out and got going without threatening. Favourite Fun And Fast was caught four-to-five deep behind midfield after breaking from a wide gate and came up flat inside the final 100m. Marvel Plus found little under the whip, while Hey Ha Master was giving way over the final 200m.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (342) - RED PACKET HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200 Meters JOYFUL JOYFUL, POWER AND GOLD and GRANDFIELD were all crowded for room at the start between PAPAS which shifted out abruptly and METRO RIDER which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by FAST INTENTIONS which began awkwardly.

From the outside barrier, SPEEDY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start.

Passing the 800 Metres, HEY HA MASTER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PAPAS.

For some distance after the 700 Metres, GENERAL DANROAD and HEY HA MASTER raced tight as GENERAL DANROAD shifted away from the heels of DR BULLION.

At the 400 Metres, MARVEL PLUS and FUN AND FAST bumped as MARVEL PLUS shifted to the outside of MY MELODY.

After the 200 Metres, MARVEL PLUS was momentarily crowded for room between MY MELODY and FAST INTENTIONS, both of which shifted slight ground.

Throughout the race, MY MELODY and METRO RIDER travelled wide and without cover.

W C Marwing, the rider of 5th placegetter, FAST INTENTIONS, pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards [Rule 100(2)].

W C Marwing was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 12 February 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the racemeeting to be conducted on Saturday, 4 February 2012 in South Africa.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MARVEL PLUS, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed to ride MARVEL PLUS in 3rd or 4th position if possible.

He said he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed, however, MARVEL PLUS got its head up on a number of occasions.

He said making the first turn MARVEL PLUS lay out and continued to do so until the Home Straight at which point the horse then got its head on the side and was inclined to lay in.

He said he was not able to offer any explanation for the horses disappointing performance today.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that blood was noted at the left nostril of FUN AND FAST during the post-race veterinary inspection.

He said an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a bleeder.

Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on POWER AND GOLD at the request of Trainer C H Yip.

The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, POWER AND GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of MARVEL PLUS and HEY HA MASTER after the race did not show any significant findings.

FUN AND FAST, PAPAS and SPEEDY were sent for sampling.