Recap by phillip woo

Harbour Master was patiently ridden third from the rear and three deep with cover, made his move 500m out, swung the final bend with two wider out, hit the front at the 200m and just held off the late surge of Mr Gnocchi for the win. Mr Gnocchi was switched off at the tail of the field from a wide gate, worked into the open widest out at the 300m and closed off furiously to make it close on the wire. Packing Llaregyb saved ground in midfield, stayed near the inside upon straightening and split rivals 150m out to get up for a placing. Rewarding Hero travelled behind midfield, was in traffic three deep upon straightening and was ducking-and-weaving to get up strongly to just miss a placing. Flame Hero secured the lead from Helene Super Star at the 1,050m, straightened level for the lead and grudgingly gave way over the final 150m. Blazing Speed was caught without cover around midfield, straightened five deep and kept plugging away without menacing after copping a bump approaching the 100m. Santa Fe Sun straightened three deep and was giving way 200m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (503)-THE PREMIER PLATE (HANDICAP) - Hong Kong Group Three - 1800Metres

FLAME HERO began only fairly and then in the early stages was ridden to obtain a forward position.

Shortly after the start, ENDOWING was bumped by PACKING LLAREGYB which in turn was bumped by HARBOUR MASTER which was racing tight inside MR GNOCCHI which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of BLAZING SPEED.

After the 800 Metres, BLAZING SPEED was left racing wide and without cover.

REWARDING HERO was shifted in away from the heels of PLEASURE GAINS near the 400 Metres after having some difficulty obtaining clear running.

Then passing the 300 Metres, REWARDING HERO raced in restricted room between CALIFORNIA MEMORY and PACKING LLAREGYB when improving into tight running between those horses.

At the 200 Metres, REWARDING HERO was then shifted to the inside of PACKING LLAREGYB after being disappointed for running outside that horse.

Near the 100 Metres, REWARDING HERO was shifted to the outside of FLAME HERO to continue improving.

At the 400 Metres, ENDOWING got its head on the side, lay in and bumped SANTA FE SUN which became unbalanced.

H W Lai (PACKING LLAREGYB) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when being ridden along and when not clear of KHAYA, causing that horse to be hampered and taken out onto HELENE SUPER STAR which was severely checked when crowded for room between KHAYA and BLAZING SPEED which also became badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by HELENE SUPER STAR.

H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 20 April 2015 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Tuesday, 7 April 2015.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CALIFORNIA MEMORY was found to have been galloped on the left hind leg.

A veterinary inspection of HELENE SUPER STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

HELENE SUPER STAR, HARBOUR MASTER and MR GNOCCHI were sent for sampling.