Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Helene Feeling took control 250m out after his one-out, one-back run to score his fourth win from nine starts and second success at Happy Valley this term. He has a bright future. Specked late, Butterfield settled one off the fence behind midfield from the outside gate and ran on to complete a Danny Shum Chap-shing quinella. The old-timer is hard to get right but tends to produce his best over 1,800m. The Best Peach filled a placing after taking off from last 500m out. He is pretty honest and this run opens things up away from Sha Tin. Nearly Fine ran on steadily for fourth after his trip one off the rail worse than midfield. He rarely produces a bad run at Happy Valley. Tourbillon Diamond ran on steadily from midfield after his rail run. It was an OK effort on his Happy Valley debut. Hameron gradually faded after his pace-stalking run from gate 10. He has found things too rich in his past three starts at this level. Spirited Express never really got into the act towards the rear. Rising From Ashes was held up and badly hampered 200m out following Lyle Hewitson's patient ride one from the back.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine : (231) - JAPAN HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1800Meters

Horse No 2 ALL FOR ST PAUL'S (C517) M Barzalona A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 4 SPIRITED EXPRESS (G356) H Doyle Jumped only fairly.

Near the 550 Metres was hampered when taken wider by THE BEST PEACH which shifted to the outside of BUTTERFIELD to commence to improve.

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

Horse No 5 RISING FROM ASHES (G209) L Hewitson Crowded shortly after the start.

When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight, L Hewitson stated that near the 200 Metres he commenced to obtain a narrow run between ALL FOR ST PAUL'S and BOURBONAIRE.

He said when BOURBONAIRE shifted in slightly, this resulted in RISING FROM ASHES being disappointed for this run and then being checked away from the heels of ALL FOR ST PAUL'S which was giving ground.

L Hewitson was advised to exercise more care and to ensure that there is comfortable racing room when he is endeavouring to improve.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a """"roarer?? Horse No 6 HELENE FEELING (H215) J McDonald Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 THE BEST PEACH (H139) Z Purton Shortly after the start was checked when crowded between HELENE FEELING and COLUMBUS COUNTY (C Y Ho) which shifted in and away from HAMERON.

C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care.

Horse No 8 COLUMBUS COUNTY (C465) C Y Ho Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 9 BUTTERFIELD (C462) T Marquand Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 HAMERON (H265) L Ferraris L Ferraris stated that over the concluding stages he received a call from K Teetan, rider of LOOKING GREAT, which was positioned to his inside and for this reason he stopped riding and straightened his mount.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of L Ferraris, 6th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse's finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ensure that he rides his mounts out fully to the finish of the race.

After the race, L Ferraris reported that with blinkers being applied tonight for the first time, he was instructed to take up a forward position but not necessarily race in the lead.

He said when caught wide in the early stages, he was obliged to allow HAMERON to stride forward to avoid covering additional ground.

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GENERAL:

1.

Barrier Trials on 5 December 2023 - Batch 1 The Stewards conducted an inquiry into the reason for ISLAND GOLDEN (B Avdulla) striking the heels of INVINCIBLE SAGE (Z Purton) and blundering near the 700 Metres.

After taking evidence from B Avdulla and Z Purton, the Stewards found that commencing the turn near the 700 Metres, ISLAND GOLDEN was briefly crowded by INVINCIBLE SAGE, but then made the turn awkwardly and shifted out slightly, striking the heels of INVINCIBLE SAGE.

Z Purton was advised that in similar circumstances he should exercise more care and provide comfortable racing room for runners to his inside.

2.

Addition to Racing Incidents Report of 3 December 2023 Sha Tin Racemeeting ??Race 2 (214) CALL ME TEDDY ??Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of APEX TOP, ANGELS HUNTER, FLYING DRAGON, WUNDERBAR, MULTISUPER, DAILY TROPHY, ACA POWER, PACKING BOLE, SMOKEY BEAR, MASTER HERO, LUCKY ETERNITY, MISTER DAPPER, BEATO, FUN TOGETHER, CELTIC TIMES, THE GOLDEN SCENERY, ATULLIBIGEAL, HAPPY TOGETHER, FIND MY LOVE, ALACRITY, DROMBEG BANNER, WOODFIRE BRO, CHANCHENG GLORY, COTTON FINGERS and I GIVE (26.11.23) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Fine Race 6 C L Chau (HARMONY N HOME): $3,000 for returning to scale 2 lbs overweight

2.

Severe Reprimand Race 7 M Barzalona (QUANTUM PATCH) for shifting out near the 400 Metres

3.

Reprimand Race 4 Y Kawada (SUPER FAST DRAGON) for shifting out approaching the 100 Metres

4.

Warnings Race 1 K C Leung (DRAGON KINGDOM) for shifting in near the 550 Metres J McDonald (GOODMANSHIP) for shifting in shortly after the start A Badel (NOBLE BOYZ) for shifting out shortly after the start Race 6 Z Purton (HEALTHY HEALTHY) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages Race 8 R Moore (SOLAR PARTNER) for shifting in over the concluding stages Race 9 L Hewitson (RISING FROM ASHES) re his riding near the 200 Metres C Y Ho (COLUMBUS COUNTY) for shifting in shortly after the start L Ferraris (HAMERON) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages General Z Purton (INVINCIBLE SAGE) for shifting in near the 700 Metres

5.

Suspension Race 1 K Teetan (HERCULES) for careless riding near the 250 Metres (Friday, 29 December 2023 - 1 Hong Kong raceday)

6.

Bleeder Race 1 NOBLE BOYZ

7.

Barrier Trials Race 1 DRAGON KINGDOM (unacceptable performance) NOBLE BOYZ (bleeder) Race 2 COMPULSORY (barrier manners) Race 6 WOOD ON FIRE (unacceptable performance)

8.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 DRAGON KINGDOM NOBLE BOYZ Race 4 AMAZING ACE Race 6 WOOD ON FIRE

9.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf A Course

10.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 5