Recap by phillip woo

Flame Hero stayed to the inside upon straightening after saving ground in midfield and quickened well to get up 50m out for an upset win. Romantic Touch kept on gamely after setting a genuine pace to just hold off Kabayan by a whisker for second. Kabayan finished off willingly four deep following a rail's run beyond midfield to make it close on the wire. Got Fly just lost a placing after a box-seat run. Mr Gnocchi made a steady bid with two wider out after travelling one off the rails beyond midfield. Top Act kept on all right after prominent run without cover. Khaya went forward to ensure a genuine pace outside the leader Romantic Touch and was gone soon after straightening. Harbour Master made only a mild bid near the inside after travelling second from the rear to continue his poor run of form. Post-time favourite Ensuring made his run at the rear after getting squeezed out at the break and got by a couple of stragglers widest out. Early favourite Rainbow Chic never let down with one wider out after travelling third from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (308)-THE JANUARY CUP (HANDICAP) - Hong Kong Group Three - 1800Metres

KABAYAN, which began only fairly, was crowded for room shortly after the start between FLAME HERO and RAINBOW CHIC, both of which shifted ground.

ENSURING was slow to begin.

TOP ACT began only fairly and despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages was slow to muster speed.

Then after the 1500 Metres, TOP ACT was left racing wide and without cover.

Shortly after the start, FLAME HERO shifted out and bumped RAINBOW CHIC which in turn shifted out.

A short distance later, RAINBOW CHIC became unbalanced when crowded for room between FLAME HERO and HELENE SUPER STAR (C Y Ho) which shifted in.

In this incident, FLAME HERO became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by RAINBOW CHIC.

C Y Ho was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

After the race, Z Purton stated that RAINBOW CHIC did not feel comfortable in its action during the race.

A veterinary inspection of RAINBOW CHIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ENSURING, K Teetan stated that he was advised if the horse did not begin well, he should ride it patiently as it had previously been finishing off its race well when ridden in this manner.

He said ENSURING was slow to begin and therefore in the early stages he shifted the horse across behind runners and he was able to follow RAINBOW CHIC, a horse he considered to be a good chance in the race.

He said ENSURING travelled well throughout the race and he expected the horse to close off well when shifted to the outside of runners after the 400 Metres.

He added however that ENSURING did not quicken as it expected it would and finished off the race only one-paced.

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

ENSURING, FLAME HERO and ROMANTIC TOUCH were sent for sampling.