Recap by phillip woo

Star Contact tracked the speed on the fence, hit the lead 200m out and edged clear. He had a light weight and was back down to the mark of his previous win. Tourbillon Prince kept on gamely for second after getting his own way in front from gate nine. It was another good run. Eighteen Palms ran on steadily for third after a prominent run on the fence. He rarely produces a bad run over the Valley's 1,650m. All Beauty ran on well for fourth after a rail run behind midfield. He can break through at any moment after filling the frame in each of his four Valley 1,650m runs this term. Sixth Generation ran on late near the inside to finish the next best after biding his time two from the rear. He has produced mixed results in five starts this term but is still paying for a four-win campaign. Storm Legend ran on without threatening from the rear of the field. He is not far off a bottom. Favourite Quantum Patch never featured after getting cast wide the entire trip from gate three. Silver Sonic only plodded after settling one off the rail in midfield. He could not handle the extra weight following a win.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight : (296) - PAK TAM AU HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 SILVER SONIC (H171) Z Purton When questioned regarding the performance, Z Purton stated that at its last start the horse was suited by the race being run at a moderate early pace when it was able to hold a forward position.

He said tonight SILVER SONIC was not suited by the race being run at a more genuine pace and as a consequence found it difficult to finish the race off.

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

The performance of SILVER SONIC was considered to be disappointing as compared to its previous race starts.

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

Horse No 2 TOURBILLON PRINCE (H122) L Ferraris Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 LOYAL BABY (E130) M Chadwick Made contact with ALL BEAUTY for some distance approaching the 1400 Metres.

In the early part of the Home Straight lay in and was reluctant to shift out to secure clear running.

Horse No 4 QUANTUM PATCH (H166) C L Chau Bumped shortly after the start.

After the race, C L Chau reported that after initially obtaining a position one-off with cover, he was then taken wider near the 1300 Metres when RED ACLAIM shifted out and as a result he was obliged to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the event.

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

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 ALL BEAUTY (E355) J McDonald Soon after the start was eased when crowded between LOYAL BABY and STAR CONTACT which shifted out.

For some distance approaching the 1400 Metres ALL BEAUTY and LOYAL BABY made contact as they contested a position one-off behind QUANTUM PATCH.

Horse No 9 EIGHTEEN PALMS (H033) A Badel Bumped shortly after the start.

Horse No 10 PRECISE EXPRESS (D198) H T Mo In the middle stages raced keenly.

Horse No 11 RED ACLAIM (J017) A Atzeni Approaching the 1500 Metres SILVER SONIC shifted in and away from EIGHTEEN PALMS, resulting in RED ACLAIM racing tight to the inside of SILVER SONIC.

A short distance later RED ACCLAIM was steadied when SILVER SONIC was momentarily crowded by EIGHTEEN PALMS (A Badel).

A Badel was advised to exercise more care.

After shifting to the outside of SILVER SONIC, RED ACLAIM then commenced to race keenly and was steadied when positioned tight between D STAR and SILVER SONIC.

Horse No 12 STAR CONTACT (E472) L Hewitson Sent for sampling post-race.

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GENERAL:

1.

Racing Laboratory tests of DUBLIN STAR, NORDIC COMBINED, ALL IS READY, MAGIC SUPREME, REGENT GLORY, DAILY TROPHY, JAMES TAK, LOYAL BO BO, SPEEDY FORTUNE, TURTLE AGAIN, COLOURFUL BARON, SMOKEY BEAR CALL ME DANDY, TORONADO PHANTOM, JUMBO FORTUNE, ENDEARED, CARROLL STREET, INVINCIBLE SAGE, AESTHETICISM, SUPER WISE DRAGON, SPEED DRAGON, KARMA, BEAUTY FIT, MUGEN, KA YING VICTORY and WUNDERBAR (17.12.23) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Reprimand Race 1 B Avdulla (AI ONE) for careless riding near the 500 Metres

2.

Warnings Race 1 C L Chau (NICE BIRDIE) for using his whip down the horse's shoulder over the concluding stages H Bowman (HAPPY HERO) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages Race 2 K C Leung (AUGUST MOON) for shifting in approaching the 1000 Metres Race 4 H Bowman (GOLDEN LINK) re the manner in which he rode his mount out over the concluding stages Race 8 A Badel (EIGHTEEN PALMS) for shifting in at the 1500 Metres

3.

Suspensions Race 2 K C Leung (AUGUST MOON) for careless riding near the 200 Metres (Sunday, 7 January 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) K De Melo (VIVA A LA) for careless riding near the 200 Metres (Thursday, 4 January 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday) Race 7 H Bowman (VIVA CHALEUR) for careless riding approaching the 1000 Metres (Thursday, 4 January 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday)

4.

Bleeder Race 3 BEAUTY MISSION

5.

Barrier Trials Race 3 BEAUTY MISSION (bleeder) Race 4 HAPPY ANGEL (disappointing performance) HO HO STAR (unacceptable performance) Race 5 GORGEOUS VITALITY (disappointing performance) Race 8 SILVER SONIC (disappointing performance)

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2 DOUBLE SHOW Race 3 BEAUTY MISSION Race 4 HAPPY ANGEL HO HO STAR Race 5 GORGEOUS VITALITY Race 8 SILVER SONIC

7.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C+3 Course

8.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 4