Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Luger travelled without cover in a handy position from a wide gate, rushed to the front four deep at the 300m and kept on gamely to win his biggest race to date. He remains one to follow over a mile to 2,000m. Got Fly settled behind midfield along the rails, angled into the clear six deep at the 350m and finished willingly to just edge Romantic Touch for second. Romantic Touch bided his time third from the rear along the rails, shifted four deep upon straightening and finished nicely to add spice to the trio. Helene Happy Star bided his time fourth from the rear and was running on late with one wider out to grab a Quartet spot. Giant Treasure settled midfield and one off the rails, rounded the final bend five deep, moved to second at the 300m and came up one-paced over the final 200m. Beauty Only settled behind midfield and one off the rails after a slow start, swung the final bend with three wider out and ran on steadily without menacing. Anticipation did get going from near the back.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (467)-THE BMW HONG KONG DERBY 2015 - Hong Kong Group One - 2000Metres

GUN PIT and HELENE HAPPY STAR bumped heavily at the start.

BEAUTY ONLY lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and began only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded for room between GOT FLY and REDKIRK WARRIOR, both of which shifted ground.

From wide barriers, ANTICIPATION and GOLDEN SLEEP were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

After the 1500 Metres, LUGER was left racing wide and without cover.

Rounding the Home Turn, THUNDER FANTASY and LUGER raced tight as THUNDER FANTASY attempted to shift to the outside of CONTENTMENT.

At the 400 Metres, REDKIRK WARRIOR was checked when attempting to improve into tight running between THUNDER FANTASY (K Teetan) which shifted in slightly after making contact with LUGER and DYNAMISM (O Doleuze) which shifted out before being directed back in to relieve the tightening to REDKIRK WARRIOR.

As the Stewards were of the opinion that there were a number of circumstances involved in this incident, principally that REDKIRK WARRIOR was improving into restricted room, they took no further action other than to advise both Jockeys Teetan and Doleuze to ensure that they make every endeavour to prevent their mounts from shifting ground and causing interference to other runners.

Passing the 350 Metres, BEAUTY ONLY was bumped by GOT FLY which shifted to the outside of GIANT TREASURE into clear running.

K Teetan was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of REDKIRK WARRIOR, resulting in that horse being taken in onto the hindquarters of OBLITERATOR, being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

Having considered the circumstances of this incident and the status of the race, the Stewards believed it was appropriate for K Teetan's licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday, 2 April 2015 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 21 March 2015.

When questioned, C Soumillon stated that he had been asked to obtain a forward position on OBLITERATOR if possible from its favourable draw.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode OBLITERATOR along in the early stages and was able to obtain a position on the rail in the lead after the 1800 Metres.

He said when CONTENTMENT improved to his outside near the 1600 Metres OBLITERATOR commenced to travel keenly, however, passing the 1200 Metres he was able to steady the tempo on OBLITERATOR.

He added the horse came under heavy pressure rounding the Home Turn and then did not finish off its race.

A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY ONLY and GIANT TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, both horses were unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

A veterinary inspection of THUNDER FANTASY, REDKIRK WARRIOR and DYNAMISM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

REDKIRK WARRIOR, LUGER and GOT FLY were sent for sampling.