Recap by phillip woo

Mr Kool took advantage of gate one to sit box-seat and powered clear 120m out for the win at his second start under in-form rookie trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen. He had all favours and might find it harder when next step out near or at a career high in the handicaps. Gentry finished nicely after settling worse than midfield from a tricky gate to grab second 30m out to build on a last-start win. He's raised his game this term and looks like he can chalk up another soon. Daring Heart finished well travelling one off in midfield to grab a placing 20m out. He's naturally returned to form at his third start and can pop up at any time. Sichuan Boss was swamped late for a placing after poking his head in front 150m out chasing the genuine pace of Dragon Dance in an improved performance at his 10th start. The summer recess appears to have done him wonders and he might be headed in the right direction now. Dragon Dance stuck on better after dictating the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (149) - THE HONG KONG COUNTRY CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 4 - 1650Meters

SEE ME NOW was tightened for room on jumping between DARING HEART and SICHUAN BOSS which shifted in.

After initially being ridden along from a wide barrier, QUICK RETURN was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

From the outside barrier, ELUSIVE STATE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

PLAY IT got its head up in the early stages when being steadied to obtain cover.

After the 1200 Metres, QUICK RETURN got its head up for some distance when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD FOR YOU.

At the entrance to the Straight, MR KOOL was directed in away from the heels of DRAGON DANCE to obtain clear running.

GENTRY, which was following, was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of MR KOOL.

Passing the 200 Metres, DRAGON DANCE and SICHUAN BOSS raced tight due to SICHUAN BOSS shifting in.

When questioned, T Berry stated that he was asked to ride WAH MAY BABY in a forward position and hopefully obtain a position behind the speed with cover.

He said he rode WAH MAY BABY positively in the early stages and rode his mount along for about the first 100 Metres in order to comply with his instructions, however, WAH MAY BABY did not show sufficient early speed to cross runners to its inside and as the tempo in the early part of the race was strong, he elected then to shift across behind runners and obtain cover rather than having to race unnecessarily wide.

He said after being bumped by QUICK RETURN near the 1200 Metres, the tempo of the race slowed appreciably, however, by this time he had already committed to riding the horse further back in the field than had been intended due to the horse's lack of early speed.

He said after racing in a three wide position with cover, WAH MAY BABY was taken wider still after the 1000 Metres by GOOD FOR YOU which shifted ground when over-racing.

He said because of this he steadied WAH MAY BABY to follow GOOD FOR YOU which resulted in the horse being even further back in the field.

He added after this WAH MAY BABY travelled only fairly and appeared to lose interest in the race when having to race towards the rear.

He said after being placed under pressure, WAY MAY BABY did not respond to his riding.

A veterinary inspection of WAH MAY BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of WAH MAY BABY, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, WAH MAY BABY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon stated that he was asked to ride MEGATRON in front of midfield and hopefully with cover behind the leaders.

He said, despite riding his mount along for a considerable distance, MEGATRON was not able to show sufficient speed to cross SICHUAN BOSS to his inside and therefore, passing the winning post on the first occasion, he elected to steady MEGATRON and obtain a trailing position with cover.

He said after initially obtaining cover on MEGATRON in a three wide position, MEGATRON was then left racing without cover when SICHUAN BOSS improved its position to be racing outside the lead.

He said MEGATRON travelled only fairly throughout the race and after being placed under pressure near the 450 Metres did not quicken and was then disappointing in the manner in which it weakened in the Straight.

When questioned, Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of MEGATRON, stated that whilst MEGATRON was disappointing, he felt that there were some excuses for the horse given that it was required to travel wide and without cover for the majority of the race.

When questioned as to the reason for removing the visor from MEGATRON, Mr Yiu stated that prior to its recent races the horse became stirred up in the Parade Ring and therefore they removed the visor to help the horse remain relaxed prior to the race.

He said MEGATRON was better today in the pre-race parade, however, following the horse's disappointing run, he would experiment with its gear to have it perform at its best.

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

The performance of MEGATRON, a favourite for today's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, MEGATRON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of GOOD FOR YOU immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

MEGATRON, MR KOOL and GENTRY were sent for sampling.