Recap by phillip woo

It was a race for the sweepers. China Delight settled fourth from the rear, angled into the open with two wider out and finished willingly to collar The Sylph 20m out for an upset win. He was suited by the pace. The Sylph was ridden for luck second from the rear, swept to the front three deep at the 150m and found one too good in the end. First Sight Love bided his time third from the rear and finished nicely with two wider out. Vara Pearl settled a distant last after a slow break, straightened six deep and closed well to finish a distant fourth. Pearl Warm Warm tracked a hot pace in fourth along the fence, advanced to a narrow lead at the 300m and was yielded ground 100m out as the favourite. Good Method kept grinding away without menacing five deep following a one off run in midfield. Noble De Man was struggling 150m out following a handy run along the fence. Bright Concept led at a good clip from a tricky gate, cornered a half-length on top and was eased down 100m out. Happy Spirit was gone approaching the final bend after tracking the speed one off the fence.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (306)-KINGSTON HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 4 - 1650Metres

VARA PEARL, which was restless in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently lost a considerable amount of ground.

Before being allowed to race again, VARA PEARL will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.

WINNING MASCOT was crowded for room on jumping between GOOD METHOD which was taken out by PEARL WARM WARM and KING'S STEED which was taken in by HAPPY SPIRIT.

From the outside barriers, CHINA DELIGHT and THE SYLPH were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, when being steadied to obtain cover, KING'S STEED got its head up on a number of occasions.

Near the 150 Metres, VARA PEARL was steadied away from the heels of GOOD METHOD when initially disappointed for running between that horse and KING'S STEED.

Over the concluding stages, CHINA DELIGHT got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure.

Throughout the race, ROBUST MOMENTUM travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground.

A veterinary inspection of ROBUST MOMENTUM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of ROBUST MOMENTUM, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned, D Whyte stated that he had been instructed to lead on HAPPY SPIRIT as the horse was successful at its last start when ridden in the lead.

He said it was explained to him that HAPPY SPIRIT is immature, having only its third race start and that the horse is one-paced and therefore leading the race would provide it with the best opportunity to perform well.

He said in accordance with his instructions he rode HAPPY SPIRIT for some distance in the early stages in an attempt to lead, however, it did not show sufficient speed to prevent BRIGHT CONCEPT from crossing his mount approaching the winning post on the first occasion.

He added, passing the winning post on the first occasion, ROBUST MOMENTUM was ridden along in an attempt to cross HAPPY SPIRIT and therefore he had to again ride his mount along for some distance to prevent ROBUST MOMENTUM from crossing his mount so as to comply with his instructions.

He said near the 1000 Metres he was able to consolidate his position outside PEARL WARM WARM, however, because of the quick tempo of the race in the early and middle stages, he was not able to lead.

He said approaching the 500 Metres PEARL WARM WARM was able to shift away from the rail, resulting in HAPPY SPIRIT being taken into a three wide position after which HAPPY SPIRIT lost its action and became unbalanced for some distance.

He further stated that HAPPY SPIRIT then commenced to give ground abruptly and when giving ground was not comfortable in its action.

He said whilst HAPPY SPIRIT was very disappointing, he felt that the circumstances of the race were in contrast to those of its most recent start when successful in that the horse on that occasion was able to lead on the rail in a slowly run race.

A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of HAPPY SPIRIT, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed to lead on BRIGHT CONCEPT and to allow the horse to run along in the early and middle stages.

He said BRIGHT CONCEPT had previously performed well over a similar distance at Sha Tin on 5 July 2015 when allowed to run along in front and not be restrained and it was for this reason that he was asked to ride the horse similarly tonight.

He said after obtaining the lead passing the winning post on the first occasion, he did not ride the horse along, however, as instructed, he did not restrain BRIGHT CONCEPT which resulted in the race being run at a strong tempo.

He added, unlike in the referred race when the horse was allowed to stride along in front, BRIGHT CONCEPT did not finish off the race tonight and gave ground in the Straight.

Mr W Y So, the trainer of BRIGHT CONCEPT, confirmed that it had been agreed for the horse to be allowed to stride along tonight due to it previously racing well when ridden in this manner.

He said nonetheless he did not expect the horse to set as quick a tempo as it did, particularly after the 1200 Metres.

Z Purton was advised that whilst BRIGHT CONCEPT had been allowed to stride along at a good tempo in the previous race that he referred to, nonetheless the sectionals on that occasion were not as fast as they were in this race.

He was further advised to ensure that, wherever possible, he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they are able to finish off their race.

A veterinary inspection of BRIGHT CONCEPT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

PEARL WARM WARM, CHINA DELIGHT and THE SYLPH were sent for sampling.