Recap by phillip woo

Naval Orange settled behind midfield near the inside, angled out coming to the final bend, straightened with three wider out and finished nicely to get up in the shadows of the post for an overdue win with a return to Sha Tin. Favourite Rouge Et Blanc was eventually left without cover in third at the 1,600m, repelled a challenge from Cruise Control after hitting the front 200m out and was nipped on the wire. Cruise Control made his run outside Naval Orange, loomed a winning chance six deep at the 150m and just missed in a ding-dong finish. It was a big space back to Better Announce, who plugged on well after tracking the strong pace of Rugby Ambassador. Telephatia made some ground with two wider out after travelling one off the rails fifth from the rear. Percy Jackson kept up a one-paced gallop following a box-seat run. China Delight only held his ground when popped the question following a one-off trip worse than midfield. Rugby Ambassador was tippy-toeing 200 out after setting a good pace. Oxford Charley failed to lift following a midfield run. Fortune Giggles never ran on.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (515)-HARLECH HANDICAP - Class 4 - 2000Metres

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that SPICY SIAM had lost its left front plate.

This plate was refitted.

SPICY SIAM was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

ALWAYS SOMETHING and RUGBY AMBASSADOR were crowded for room on jumping between OCEAN POWER and SPICY SIAM which shifted out.

From the outside barriers, FORTUNE GIGGLES and NO REGRETS were shifted across behind runners shortly after the start.

After the 1500 Metres, CHINA DELIGHT got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROUGE ET BLANC.

Approaching the 1400 Metres, TELEPHATIA and SPICY SIAM raced tight.

After the 800 Metres, OXFORD CHARLEY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERCY JACKSON.

Throughout the race, OCEAN POWER travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.

When questioned, A Suborics (RUGBY AMBASSADOR) stated that approaching the 1600 Metres he was able to shift in to race outside the leader BETTER ANNOUNCE.

He said he attempted to steady RUGBY AMBASSADOR to maintain this position, however, RUGBY AMBASSADOR commenced to prove difficult to settle and was inclined to travel keenly.

He said when it appeared that BETTER ANNOUNCE was being steadied to slow the tempo after the 1500 Metres, he allowed RUGBY AMBASSADOR to improve its position forward of that horse after the 1400 Metres and to take the outright lead near the 1200 Metres.

He said after allowing RUGBY AMBASSADOR to cross into the lead, the horse settled better and for this reason he was reluctant to further steady RUGBY AMBASSADOR as it was travelling comfortably.

He added although this resulted in the race being run at a slightly faster sectional than he had hoped between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres, he felt it was better to allow the horse to use its action rather than have it travel keenly.

When questioned regarding his riding of OXFORD CHARLEY in the Straight, O Doleuze stated that in the early part of the Straight he rode his mount aggressively to improve inside PERCY JACKSON.

He said however that when OXFORD CHARLEY was hampered near the 300 Metres when PERCY JACKSON shifted in, he was obliged to steady his mount.

He said he then positioned OXFORD CHARLEY behind PERCY JACKSON in order to establish whether clear running would become available to the inside of that horse and behind RUGBY AMBASSADOR or to the outside of PERCY JACKSON and behind BETTER ANNOUNCE.

He said as RUGBY AMBASSADOR appeared to be stopping, he committed OXFORD CHARLEY to the outside of PERCY JACKSON after the 200 Metres, however, after this OXFORD CHARLEY was not able to obtain clear running due to ALWAYS SOMETHING being positioned to the outside of BETTER ANNOUNCE.

O Doleuze was advised that his riding particularly over the final 300 Metres had come under notice in that it had lacked the necessary urgency expected of a rider.

He was advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they are able to improve into runs as they become available and accordingly be fully tested wherever possible.

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

A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE GIGGLES immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea.

The performance of FORTUNE GIGGLES, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

NAVEL ORANGE and ROUGE ET BLANC were sent for sampling.