Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Penglai Xianzi eventually took the sit in third, was held up until getting outside Gift Is Gift for a clear run at the 150m, pounced to the lead 50m out and kept on well for the win . Talley Close made his run second from the rear after a sluggish break from a wide gate, switched into the clear with one wider out and finished up full of running to just snatch second from Keen Marie. The latter was a close fourth and three deep, drew level for the lead approaching the 50m and was pipped late for the Quinella spot. Majestic Falcon shifted outside a tiring New Vision at the 350m, caused interference to Fair Trade when angling out for a clear run at the 200m and stayed on well to finish outside the placings. He should have gone closer with a clear run. Fair Trade settled outside the favourite Flash Knight in midfield, couldn't get to the outside by Fat Choy Oohlala five deep soon after straightening, then was in a barging match with Majestic Falcon at the 200m and stayed on one-paced thereafter. Specked late, Good Words gave way over the last 100m. Gift Is Gift's condition gave way in the final 100m in his return off a tendon injury. Flash Knight found little under the whip over the final 200m in a flat performance. He was later reporterd to have bled.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (386)-THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 1 - 1400Metres

On arrival at the barriers, the tongue tie fitted to TALLEY CLOSE was replaced.

MAJESTIC FALCON shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of GOOD WORDS.

NEW VISION shifted out at the start and bumped KEEN MARIE.

From wide barriers, TALLEY CLOSE and FUN RIDER were taken across behind runners shortly after the start.

G Mossé (FAT CHOY OOHLALA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for a considerable distance approaching and passing the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, resulting in FAIR TRADE and BEAUTY FLASH being badly crowded for room and BEAUTY FLASH having to be severely checked when tightened onto the hindquarters of FLASH KNIGHT and losing its rightful running near the 850 Metres.

In this incident, MAJESTIC FALCON, which was racing to the inside of BEAUTY FLASH, was crowded for room when BEAUTY FLASH was checked.

G Mossé was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 11 March 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

This suspension shall commence on Sunday, 3 March 2013 on which day he was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 2 February 2013.

At the 400 Metres, FAIR TRADE was steadied when disappointed for running between VOILE ROUGE and FAT CHOY OOHLALA.

In this incident, FAIR TRADE bumped FAT CHOY OOHLALA which became unbalanced.

MAJESTIC FALCON had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

FLASH KNIGHT had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 300 Metres.

At the 200 Metres, MAJESTIC FALCON, which was again held up for clear running, was shifted to the outside of KEEN MARIE to improve its position.

In doing so, MAJESTIC FALCON bumped FAIR TRADE which got its head on the side, shifted out and made contact with VOILE ROUGE.

After this, both FAIR TRADE and MAJESTIC FALCON were taken wider by KEEN MARIE (C Y Ho) which shifted out under pressure.

C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

Near the 150 Metres, FAT CHOY OOHLALA was steadied when crowded for room between VOILE ROUGE which shifted out and TALLEY CLOSE which shifted in under pressure.

TALLEY CLOSE continued to hang in and proved difficult to ride over the concluding stages.

Passing the 50 Metres, GIFT IS GIFT turned its head towards PENGLAI XIANZI and attempted to savage that horse.

This was brought to the attention of Trainer R Gibson.

Close to the finishing line, FAIR TRADE was crowded for room between MAJESTIC FALCON and TALLEY CLOSE which shifted in.

Because of this, FAIR TRADE was not able to be ridden out right to the end of the race.

Throughout the race, VOILE ROUGE travelled wide and without cover.

For the majority of the race, KEEN MARIE travelled wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of NEW VISION after the race revealed that it was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being permitted to race again, NEW VISION will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of FLASH KNIGHT after the race revealed the horse to have bled from both nostrils.

FLASH KNIGHT, PENGLAI XIANZI and TALLEY CLOSE were sent for sampling.