Recap by phillip woo

Specked late, Beauty King dictated a steady pace after finding the front from gate six, had a length margin on Mac Row rounding the final bend and had to share the win with late-plunged Celestial Smile diving late following a three-deep run worse than midfield. Mac Row pressed forward to settle one off in second at the 900m, cornered one off and came up one-paced over the final 150m to finish a clear-cut third. Post-time favourite Sensation made his run without cover three-to-four deep behind midfield, swung the final bend with two wider out and was finishing up reasonably well to just snatch fourth from Vara Pearl in his initial run over the 1,400m. Vara Pearl made his one off the fence underneath Sensation, shifted widest out at the 400m and finished up nicely. Secret Agent enjoyed the box-seat run, peeled four deep upon straightening and was yielding ground 150m out. Mighty Equus made some ground near the inside without menacing after making his run fourth from the rear following a sluggish break.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (062)-JOLLY HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1400Metres

After leaving the Parade Ring, the tongue tie fitted to EXAGGERATION was refitted.

GLACIER BLUE shifted in at the start and bumped VARA PEARL.

Then shortly after the start, GLACIER BLUE was momentarily crowded for room between MIGHTY EQUUS and VARA PEARL which shifted out after becoming unbalanced.

In the early stages, despite being vigorously ridden, MIGHTY EQUUS failed to muster speed.

At the 900 Metres, JUST MISTERE commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of VARA PEARL which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLACK STAR.

Passing the 900 Metres, HOUSE OF LUCK was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SECRET AGENT.

After the 900 Metres, DRAGON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SENSATION.

Near the 750 Metres, SECRET AGENT got its head up when awkwardly placed behind BEAUTY KING.

After the 700 Metres, SENSATION was steadied away from the heels of CELESTIAL SMILE.

DRAGON, which was following, was checked away from the heels of SENSATION in consequence.

Approaching the 600 Metres, VARA PEARL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CELESTIAL SMILE.

Passing the 400 Metres, DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of VARA PEARL (N Callan) which shifted out.

N Callan was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future.

Also passing the 400 Metres, MIGHTY EQUUS was shifted in away from the heels of HOUSE OF LUCK.

Prior to the declaration of weighed-in, Mr C S Shum, the trainer of SPEEDY LONGWAH, made an application to the Stewards for that horse to be declared a non-runner.

After taking evidence from Mr Shum, M L Yeung, the rider of SPEEDY LONGWAH, and Mr T McGovern, the Starter, the Stewards found that just prior to the start being effected SPEEDY LONGWAH became fractious and reared, resulting in the horse losing ground.

The Stewards also found that during this incident the starting gate handler was attempting to assist SPEEDY LONGWAH and he released the horse in a timely manner given that it was in the act of rearing up.

As the Stewards believed that SPEEDY LONGWAH had been afforded a fair start, the horse was declared a runner.

Before being allowed to race again, SPEEDY LONGWAH will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SENSATION had sustained a cut to the left hind leg.

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

SENSATION, CELESTIAL SMILE and BEAUTY KING were sent for sampling.