Recap by phillip woo

Glorious Avenue was a prominently-ridden fourth and one off the rails, rounded the final bend five deep and quickened nicely to win going away 250m out with a step back in distance in a class record time. He may remain competitive on this surface up in grade. Diamond Angel settled fifth along the paint, cornered four deep and finished well to clearly grab second in an improved run following a stable change. Shantaraam settled midfield along the rails, shifted into the open with three wider out at the 250m and just out-finished second favourite Sledge Hammer for third. It was a nice run following an injury break and he'll be looking forward to the mile again. Sledge Hammer settled fourth from the rear and one off the rails, turned the final bend with one wider out and ran on steadily to fill a Quartet spot. Sea Fury ran on moderately better when coming from last after going back from a wide gate. Xi Ying Men went best of a trio vying for the lead from a wide gate. Favourite Always Wonderful and Mighty Gains knocked up badly after ensuring the tempo was swift. Snow Slider was never a factor after running off the track at the 600m following a run worse than midfield along the rails.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (373)-KRETA AYER HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Metres

SHANTARAAM and SNOW SLIDER were crowded for room on jumping between MIGHTY GAINS which shifted out and ALWAYS WONDERFUL which began awkwardly and shifted in.

In this incident, ALWAYS WONDERFUL became unbalanced after bumping with SNOW SLIDER.

GOOD SMILE began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly, resulting in SEA FURY being hampered.

After this, SEA FURY, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Rounding the first turn, SNOW SLIDER hung out badly, ran to the outside rail and was subsequently retired from the event.

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

Trainer P F Yiu was advised that as this was the second occasion on which SNOW SLIDER had incurred an embargo for hanging out in a race, the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily on at least three consecutive occasions around a bend prior to being permitted to race again.

Mr Yiu advised that he would speak to the connections of SNOW SLIDER regarding the horse's immediate racing future.

When questioned regarding his riding in the early stages, Y T Cheng (XI YING MEN) stated that, from the outside barrier, he had been instructed to ride his mount positively in the early stages and obtain the lead if possible.

He said he was advised to ensure that he held his mount rounding the turns as XI YING MEN had previously shown an inclination to hang out in its races around a bend.

He said in accordance with the instructions, he rode XI YING MEN aggressively in the early stages in an endeavour to lead.

He said after the 1000 Metres it became apparent to him that he would not be able to clear MIGHTY GAINS and ALWAYS WONDERFUL to his inside.

He said he continued to push XI YING MEN, however, did not ride it with the same intensity that he had in the early stages.

He added near the 800 Metres he attempted to steady XI YING MEN and sit off ALWAYS WONDERFUL in a position without cover as the turn was approaching.

He said whilst he was aware that the tempo of the race in the early stages was quick, he felt obliged to make every endeavour to lead on XI YING MEN given the instructions he had received.

Y T Cheng was advised that whilst the Stewards acknowledged that XI YING MEN assumes a forward position in its races and that his riding of the horse in the initial stages was completely reasonable, nonetheless his riding after the 1000 Metres, when it was apparent that XI YING MEN was not showing sufficient speed to cross MIGHTY GAINS and ALWAYS WONDERFUL, lacked the necessary degree of judgement expected of a rider in Hong Kong.

He was also advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have made an effort to come back on XI YING MEN rather than continue to ride his mount along which may have had the effect of lessening the tempo of the race and providing XI YING MEN with more of an opportunity to finish off its race.

After the race, Z Purton stated that due to the fast tempo in the early stages, MIGHTY GAINS was not able to finish off its race in the Straight.

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

Also after the race, K C Leung stated that whilst the tempo of the race in the early stages was quick, nonetheless ALWAYS WONDERFUL travelled well.

He said after being passed by XI YING MEN near the 300 Metres, ALWAYS WONDERFUL commenced to give ground and then did not feel comfortable in its action over the concluding stages.

A veterinary inspection of ALWAYS WONDERFUL 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, ALWAYS WONDERFUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

ALWAYS WONDERFUL, GLORIOUS AVENUE and DIAMOND ANGEL were sent for sampling.