Recap by phillip woo

Late-fancied favourite Contentment enjoyed the box-seat run, rolled to the front three deep at the 200m and edged clear for a convincing fourth win off a light weight from six starts. Mr Gnocchi settled behind midfield and one off the rails, rounded the final bend six deep and closed off nicely to collar Anticipation 30m out for second. Anticipation settled midfield and one off the rails, worked to second five deep at the 100m and had to settle for third in the end. He's naturally coming to hand with racing. Plunged late, Club Life set a genuine tempo on the lead, cornered a length on top and was stopping 100m out to just hold off Golden Sleep for a Quartet spot. Golden Sleep was making good progress late. Gun Pit settled behind midfield and two off the rails with cover, swung the final bend with two wider out and finished up reasonably well. Obliterator covered a lot of ground second from the rear after a sluggish break, swung the final bend widest out and made some progress without menacing. Packing Llaregyb was ridden quietly third from the rear and ran on without menacing.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (430)-CITIBANK INSURANCE SERVICES HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1800Metres

GOLDEN SLEEP began only fairly and shortly after the start was bumped by ANTICIPATION which shifted in.

ANTICIPATION then became unbalanced, shifted out and bumped TOP ACE which also became unbalanced.

OBLITERATOR began awkwardly and shortly after the start was shifted across behind runners.

PACKING LLAREGYB was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After the 1700 Metres, GOLDEN SLEEP commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MR GNOCCHI.

For a considerable distance after this, GOLDEN SLEEP continued to prove very difficult to settle.

After the 1500 Metres, OBLITERATOR got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain a position with cover behind GUN PIT.

For some distance after the 1100 Metres, PACKING LLAREGYB and OBLITERATOR raced tight as OBLITERATOR attempted to shift in behind GUN PIT to obtain a position with cover.

Passing the 1000 Metres, PACKING LLAREGYB and OBLITERATOR then bumped on a number of occasions due to PACKING LLAREGYB maintaining its position behind GUN PIT.

Rounding the Home Turn, CLUB LIFE got its head on the side and lay out.

ASHKIYR was badly held up for clear running until passing the 150 Metres.

When questioned, O Doleuze stated that he had been asked to obtain a forward position on FLAME HERO consistent with the manner in which was ridden at its most recent start when successful over 1600 Metres.

He said on that occasion FLAME HERO was able to obtain the lead in the early stages due to the average tempo of the race at that time.

He said in today's race he rode his mount along in the early stages to take up a forward position, however, runners drawn more favourably than FLAME HERO showed more early speed and, despite riding his mount along, he was not able to position FLAME HERO in order to cross those runners to his inside.

He said as the tempo of the race in the early stages was good, he felt it was in the best interests of FLAME HERO to obtain a position with cover rather than continue to ride it along in the hope of obtaining a forward position in a race where the sectionals in the early and middle stages were particularly quick.

He added after the 1000 Metres FLAME HERO was left racing wide and without cover in a position further back than had been intended.

He said FLAME HERO came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then in the Straight gave ground noticeably.

He said whilst FLAME HERO raced very disappointingly, there were a number of circumstances with today's race as compared to its last start when the horse was successful.

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

The performance of FLAME HERO, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

After the race, M L Yeung (CLUB LIFE) reported that his saddle shifted back near the 1400 Metres, placing him at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race.

A veterinary inspection of PACKING LLAREGYB and OBLITERATOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

CONTENTMENT and MR GNOCCHI were sent for sampling.

---

GENERAL:

Races 3 - 10 were each put back 5 minutes.



2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 25 February 2015 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of LYRIC ACE, ORIENTAL FANTASIA, SING SING SING, GOLDEN BAUHINIA, TELEPHATIA, TOWERING STORM, BRIGHT STAR, SEA RUBY, TOM'S CHARM, JUMBO SPIRIT, FORGIVE AND FORGET, REGENCY HO HO, MR GENUINE, GENEROUS BOBO, FIRST SIGHT LOVE, EXPECTATOR, AMAZINGLY, MR GINGER, ORIENTAL PROSPER, HONG KONG DANCER, FAT CHOY HONG KONG and WONDERFUL MOMENTS revealed no apparent abnormality.



3.

Racing Laboratory tests of COLOURFUL PROFIT, FOLLOW THE WIND, YOUNG HAPPY, SERGEANT TITANIUM, AMBASSADORSHIP, GOLD DRAGON, PENNY LANE, PLENTY OF SPEED, HAPPY MOMENTS, IMPERIAL CONCORDE, JOLLY GOOD STAR, GOT FLY, DYNAMISM, MR GNOCCHI, GRAND PLUS, AXIOM, GOLD-FUN, AEROVELOCITY, DR GOOD HABIT, RADIANT BUNNY, BEAUTY ONLY, THUNDER FANTASY, REDKIRK WARRIOR, LUGER and ARPINATI (15.2.15) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 3: RAGING BULL at barriers on veterinary advice.

Race 8: COLOSSUS at barriers on veterinary advice.



2.

Severe Reprimand Race 3: K Teetan (SPARKLING SWORD) for shifting in approaching the 1000 Metres.



3.

Warnings Race 4: U Rispoli (LAUGHING LORD) re his riding in the early stages.

Race 5: N Rawiller (FLAGSHIP SHINE) for shifting in rounding the first turn near the 700 Metres.

Z Purton (SUPER JOCKEY) for shifting in rounding the first turn near the 700 Metres.

Race 8: D Whyte (JUN HUO) for shifting in passing the 1000 Metres.

O Doleuze (KERKENI) for shifting in near the 200 Metres.



4.

Suspension Race 8: M L Yeung (GOODHEART SUCCESS) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (12 - 19 March 2015 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).



5.

Stalls Test Race 4: CHEVALIER STAR

6.

Official Barrier Trials Race 2: SAMMY'S EMPIRE Race 3: RAGING BULL Race 8: COLOSSUS Race 10: FLAME HERO

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: RAGING BULL Race 8: COLOSSUS Race 10: FLAME HERO