Recap by phillip woo

Trendiful was able to slip underneath runners to find the rail 700m out from a wide gate in midfield, rounded the final bend five deep and quickened nicely to get up 10m out in a blanket finish. Mr Kool settled behind midfield along the rail, straightened near three deep and finished up willingly to get the bob in over rank outsider Bo Duke and Travel Number One in an eye-catching debut. Bo Duke was posted deep behind midfield from a wide gate, wheeled in with one wider out and closed off nicely to make it a thriller in a much-improved run with a gear change. Thumped late to jump favourite, Travel Number One was swamped in the final few metres after poking his head in front four deep at the 100m following a prominent run with cover. He seems to perform best over this course. Mellifluent had to check off heels 100m out when making a good bid four deep from near the back. Lyric Ace had to work a bit to lead from gate 12, straightened two lengths on top and was tippy toeing in the final 100m. Giddy Giddy had no excuses following a box-seat run. Specked late, Hang's Decision got going when the race was all but over near the inside after travelling at the rear of the field. Early favourite Star Of Wai Bo was only plodding when copping a check 130m out after stalking the leader.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (089)-PINE HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 4 - 1200Metres

On arrival at the Start, TRENDIFUL had its left front plate refitted.

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

MELLIFLUENT began only fairly and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Shortly after the start, HANG'S DECISION shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HAPPY HOMING.

Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, STAR OF WAI BO got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider, resulting in SPITFIRE losing ground when crowded for room.

Also near the 1000 Metres, HANG'S DECISION got its head up when awkwardly placed inside MELLIFLUENT.

Near the 750 Metres, HANG'S DECISION was shifted out away from the heels of MELLIFLUENT which was being ridden along at this point of the race.

After the 700 Metres, HAPPY HOMING was left racing wide and without cover.

After the 200 Metres, WINNING TALENT got its head on the side and lay in under pressure.

Then passing the 100 Metres, WINNING TALENT was shifted out away from the heels of GIDDY GIDDY.

D Whyte (LYRIC ACE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of STAR OF WAI BO, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

MELLIFLUENT, which was following STAR OF WAI BO, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

D Whyte was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 19 October 2015 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 10 October 2015.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Whyte's good race riding record during the most recent 2014/2015 and current racing seasons.

A veterinary inspection of SPITFIRE, STAR OF WAI BO and LYRIC ACE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

TRAVEL NUMBER ONE, TRENDIFUL and MR KOOL were sent for sampling.