Recap by phillip woo

Odds-on-favourite Solar Wai Wai would have been a good thing beaten after copping a bad check 850m out and without a run behind the leaders until the last 50m racing midfield on the fence. Lunar Zephyr did everything but get the win after hitting the front 50m out following a box-seat run. He's generally a 1,000m specialist but has actually run well to place in both starts over this trip. Red Horse just wore down Voyage Star for third following a prominent run. He's running well but a move to a seven-pound claimer like Victor Wong can make a winning difference. Voyage Star only succumbed inside the last 100m after dropping anchor and causing some problems in behind in front at the 850m leading from a wide gate. Empire Of Patch ran on steadily without menacing settling one-off in midfield. He's run all right in both starts this term following a fetlock injury and seems to want a further trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (398) - KUT CHEONG HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1200Meters

LUCKY LUCKY began only fairly and then lost ground when crowded for room between SOLAR WAI WAI and BULB ELITE which shifted out.

In this incident, SOLAR WAI WAI became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by LUCKY LUCKY.

This also resulted in LUCKY LUCKY racing back in the field.

BRAVE COMMAND and WHAT A LEGEND bumped at the start.

After this, both BRAVE COMMAND and WHAT A LEGEND were shifted across behind runners.

LE TERROIR was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

From the outside barrier, YEE CHEONG LUCKY was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

After the 1000 Metres, LE TERROIR was left racing wide and without cover.

K C Leung (VOYAGE STAR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 900 Metres, when in the lead, he heavily restrained his mount, resulting in the tempo of the race reducing excessively, causing LUNAR ZEPHYR to be checked away from the heels of VOYAGE STAR.

SOLAR WAI WAI, which was following LUNAR ZEPHYR, was severely checked to avoid the heels of that horse and stumbled, causing BULB ELITE, which was following SOLAR WAI WAI, to shift out abruptly away from behind that horse.

In this incident, SOLAR WAI WAI lost its left front plate and was found to be lame in its left front leg after the race.

Before being allowed to race again, SOLAR WAI WAI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 20 February 2019 and to expire on Monday, 25 February 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, K C Leung was fined $12,500.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the degree of the interference caused particularly to SOLAR WAI WAI.

After the 500 Metres, WHAT A LEGEND and LUCKY LUCKY raced tight as WHAT A LEGEND shifted out to obtain clear running.

Passing the 300 Metres, WHAT A LEGEND was shifted to the inside of LE TERROIR after being disappointed for running between that horse which shifted out and LUCKY LUCKY.

After obtaining a run inside LUNAR ZEPHYR (G van Niekerk) passing the 200 Metres, SOLAR WAI WAI was crowded between that horse which shifted in and VOYAGE STAR near the 100 Metres.

G van Niekerk was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to keep his mounts on a straight course.

Passing the 100 Metres, LUNAR ZEPHYR was bumped on the hindquarters by SOLAR WAI WAI as that horse maintained its running between LUNAR ZEPHYR and VOYAGE STAR.

SOLAR WAI WAI and LUNAR ZEPHYR were sent for sampling.