Recap by phillip woo

Litterateur kept finding after hitting the front 240m out following a prominent run on the fence to ring up a fifth win. He just doesn't know how to run a bad race over this course. Favourite Red Warrior just out-dashed Winning Faith for second following a midfield run. It was another honest performance and he's not one to give up on yet. Winning Faith left things too late following a patient ride second from the rear. He loves the Valley. Turin Redstar battled away to finish a distant fourth after sitting box-seat behind the late-plunged Land Grant. It was another honest effort but he keeps finding one or a few too good. Good Omen ran on a without menacing travelling third from the rear. He hasn't disgraced with a return to Class Two in his past couple of runs. Good Standing came up one-paced travelling fore of midfield on the fence. He appears to be over-rated on his current form. Volpino closed late without threatening from beyond midfield.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (290) - MERCURY HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1650Meters

JOYFUL TRINITY was withdrawn on 25.12.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left front suspensory) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter IMPERIAL GALLANTRY (M F Poon).

Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL TRINITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

After shifting out at the start and making contact with VOLPINO, WINNING FAITH was then bumped by IMPERIAL GALLANTRY shortly after which got its head on the side and shifted out.

After the 900 Metres, JADE FORTUNE was left racing wide and without cover.

After being awkwardly placed behind RED WARRIOR for some distance, VOLPINO was checked away from the heels of that horse at the 750 Metres.

At the entrance to the Straight, STIMULATION became badly unbalanced when contacted on the hindquarters by TURIN REDSTAR (K C Leung) which improved into tight running between STIMULATION and the leader LAND GRANT.

TURIN REDSTAR also became unbalanced as a consequence of the contact with STIMULATION.

K C Leung was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that his mount improved to be racing close to the heels of LAND GRANT and that he did not force his way out aggressively, nonetheless his positioning of TURIN REDSTAR had initiated the contact with STIMULATION which caused both horses to be badly hampered.

Passing the 200 Metres, GOOD OMEN was directed to the inside of the heels of PIKACHU to continue improving.

Over the concluding stages, WINNING FAITH lay in and was awkwardly placed outside RED WARRIOR.

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

LITTERATEUR and RED WARRIOR were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 23 December 2018 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of MANFUL STAR, PADDINGTON, BRING IT ON, ISHVARA, PERFECT MATCH, QUADRUPLE DOUBLE, HAPPY FORCE, RIGHT CHOICE, PICKEN, FUN TIMES, TORNADO TWIST, THE CREATETH, HARMONY VICTORY, DARK DREAM, GIANT TURTLE, VICTORY MACHINE, WAIKUKU, STYLING CITY, STORM SIGNAL, KING OPIE and HOME RUN revealed no apparent abnormality.

SUMMARY:

Withdrawals Race 3: HORSE BULLET on 24.12.18 on veterinary advice.

Race 8: JOYFUL TRINITY on 25.12.18 on veterinary advice.

Severe Reprimands Race 5: K Teetan (EVERBRAVE) for shifting in just prior to the 500 Metres.

Race 8: K C Leung (TURIN REDSTAR) for shifting out at the entrance to the Straight.

Reprimand Race 7: K Teetan (TOP LAURELS) for shifting in passing the 500 Metres.

Barrier Trial Race 6: MARQULA Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: HORSE BULLET Race 6: MARQULA Race 8: JOYFUL TRINITY