Recap by phillip woo

Travelling one-off from midfield, Whizz Kid just got up 30m out for a seventh win from 47 starts. It was a long time between drinks, but he was a very well rated runner. Early favourite Candlelight Dinner found one too good after moving to the lead 150m out following a pace-pressing role on the fence from gate two. It was another solid run up in grade following a win. Looking Bright ran on well for third after a wide with cover trip travelling behind midfield. It was an improved effort at his third local run. Friends Of Shajing ran on strongly through the centre for fourth after making his run near the rear. It was a good run on his local debut. Superb Capitalist only plodded when asked for an effort after sitting third in the run with cover from gate seven. He couldn't back up a win carrying four pounds more. Healthy Healthy made some ground late along the inside after a rail run from behind midfield. Youthful Spirits failed to muster speed and was a non-factor after a wide without cover trip from midfield. The All Out couldn't get a clear crack at them over the last 150m following a prominent run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six : (824) - BRIAR HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Meters

Horse No 1 YOUTHFUL SPIRITS (J082) L Ferraris After the event L Ferraris stated that his mount failed to show sufficient pace to cross runners to his inside in the early stages and as a result was obliged to race very wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

He added that as a consequence YOUTHFUL SPIRITS did not respond strongly to his riding in the Home Straight.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported.

Horse No 3 WHIZZ KID (E392) H Bentley Bumped shortly after the start.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 FRIENDS OF SHAJING (K202) C L Chau Bumped shortly after the start.

The Stewards opened an inquiry into Jockey C L Chau's riding of the horse and in particular the vigour he showed over the last 600 Metres of the event.

When questioned C L Chau stated that he was instructed to have the horse settle where comfortable and had anticipated taking up a midfield position.

He said making the turn after the 600 Metres his mount commenced to lay out and became awkward which he attributed to the horse having its first race start at Happy Valley.

He said as a result he was required to balance his mount through this section of the race which resulted in SIR CHARGE and THOUSAND SPIRIT improving past his mount.

He added that as he continued to make the bend after the 600 Metres it was necessary for him to balance the horse as it was still having difficulty making the turn and entering the Home Straight it took some time to fully balance up before he was able to fully ride his mount from near the 200 Metres.

He said over the final 200 Metres he continued to test the horse to the best of his ability in a hands and heels manner whereby his mount finished the race off strongly, particularly over the final 100 Metres.

Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions issued and stated that whilst the horse had numerous barrier trials leading into tonight's race it had not barrier trialed at the Happy Valley circuit.

He said for this reason he had stressed to Jockey Chau to ensure that the horse was fully balanced before he applied full pressure to the horse in the Home Straight.

Mr Shum expressed satisfaction with the manner in which Jockey Chau rode FRIENDS OF SHAJING.

After considering the evidence the Stewards advised Jockey Chau that, in their opinion, he should have made a greater effort from the 600 Metres to hold his position to the inside of SIR CHARGE and in the Home Straight there was an opportunity for him to ride his mount with more vigour, particularly between the 200 Metres and the 100 Metres after the horse had become fully balanced.

Jockey Chau was advised that he would be expected in future to ensure he rides in a manner so as to leave no room for query.

Horse No 5 HEALTHY HEALTHY (H203) A Atzeni Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when held up behind CANDLELIGHT DINNER.

Horse No 6 CANDLELIGHT DINNER (J468) M L Yeung Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 7 SIR CHARGE (K361) K Teetan From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After improving to the inside of LOOKING BRIGHT making the Home Turn was then held up over the final the 300 Metres and as a result could not be ridden out to the finish of the event.

Horse No 8 THOUSAND SPIRIT (K365) A Badel From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 9 LOOKING BRIGHT (K315) M F Poon Leaving the 300 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving between WHIZZ KID and THE ALL OUT.

Near the 150 Metres LOOKING BRIGHT then raced tight to the inside of WHIZZ KID when that runner shifted in, resulting in LOOKING BRIGHT having difficulty obtaining clear running between the 150 Metres and the 50 Metres.

Horse No 10 PARENTS' LOVE (H405) Y L Chung Shifted in and was bumped shortly after the start.

After the event Y L Chung reported that his mount gave ground when under pressure in the Home Straight and raced like it had reached the end of its preparation.

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

Horse No 11 THE ALL OUT (K291) B Thompson Blundered on jumping.

Near the 150 Metres became held up for clear running behind SUPERB CAPITALIST and then was bumped by LOOKING BRIGHT which shifted in.

THE ALL OUT then could not be ridden out over the final 150 Metres.

After the event B Thompson reported that his mount, which was having its first race start at Happy Valley, raced greenly before having difficulty obtaining clear running in the Home Straight.

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