Recap by phillip woo

Mr Right cleared to lead from a wide gate at the 600m and kept up a strong gallop to notch a sixth win from 20 outings over this Valley trip. Punted late Lucky Lucky stayed on well following a three-back run on the fence to snatch second in the dying stages. He's mixing his form but has come away with cheques in half his six starts at both tracks and can breakthrough soon. Zero Hedge stuck on well to just lose the Quinella spot after travelling deep near the speed. He's no world-beater but has stuck on well to fill the frame in his past three sprints at both tracks and still has time on his side. Lunar Zephyr grudgingly gave way after leading early on. He's returned to form his past two and isn't far off a winning run over the 1,000m at either track. Peace Combination has been racing consistently well this season but failed to turn it up another gear following a prominent run. Dr Proactive didn't let down following a midfield run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Four: (303) - SHAM TSENG HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1000Meters

SILVER SPUN was withdrawn on 26.12.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LUCKY LUCKY (A Badel).

Before being allowed to race again, SILVER SPUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SPEEDY KING began awkwardly and lost ground at the start.

PEARLY TREASURE, which was slow to begin, was steadied away from the heels of DR RACE which shifted out on jumping.

HUMBLE STEED was also slow to begin.

After making ground quickly approaching the 800 Metres, SPEEDY KING commenced to over-race and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PEACE COMBINATION for some distance.

Approaching the 600 Metres, DR PROACTIVE, which was racing tight to the inside of SPEEDY KING, shifted in and away from that horse, resulting in DR RACE having to be steadied.

Approaching the 500 Metres, ELEGANCE PROMISE was brushed and taken wider by SPEEDY KING which shifted out around the heels of PEACE COMBINATION.

Passing the 50 Metres, A Badel momentarily dropped his left rein.

Throughout the race, BUDDY BUNDY travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was instructed to ride PEARLY TREASURE, which was having its first race start tonight, in about a midfield position from its favourable barrier.

He said however that PEARLY TREASURE began awkwardly and lost ground at the start which resulted in the horse settling at the tail of the field.

He said throughout the early and middle stages PEARLY TREASURE raced greenly and was reluctant to make up ground on the main body of the field despite being ridden along.

He said PEARLY TREASURE continued to race greenly and then was also inclined to lay out on the turn after leaving the 600 Metres.

When questioned as to whether he could have been more positive on his mount approaching the Home Turn, M L Yeung stated that as PEARLY TREASURE was continuing to race greenly, he was reluctant to ride the horse too hard into the turn given that it had been laying out prior to this.

He said once balanced in the Straight, PEARLY TREASURE commenced to close off well when able to be tested.

He added over the concluding stages when making ground quickly to the outside of DR PROACTIVE, he was forced to steady PEARLY TREASURE due to DR PROACTIVE shifting out.

M L Yeung was advised that the Stewards would note his comments in respect of the performance of PEARLY TREASURE.

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

A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY KING 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, SPEEDY KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SPEEDY KING, MR RIGHT and LUCKY LUCKY were sent for sampling.