Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Silver Dragon enjoyed a lovely run on the back of the speed in third along the fence, moved to second 500m out, straightened three deep and wore down Graceful Kingdom over the last 150m for a sixth career win. Graceful Kingdom set a steady pace on the lead, was hard ridden rounding the final bend to hold a near two-length margin and went down fighting. Diamond Friends settled three back along the fence, worked into the open four deep soon after straightening and finished well to make it close on the wire. The Sylph bided his time third from the rear along the fence, straightened three deep and finished well to grab a Quartet spot. Classic Jewellery was ridden for luck at the tail of the field from a wide gate, straightened near the inside, switched to the outside with one wider out at the 150m and closed off reasonably well. He'll have to be kept safe from a good gate next time out. King's Steed only held his ground following a prominent run. Baltic Warrior peaked on his run 150m out after making a move 600m out following a midfield run with cover from a wide gate. Animation Master found nothing in the run to the wire following a rail's run behind midfield despite a step up in distance. Wellpunted late, Gold Talent was never involved after travelling fourth from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (339)-KOKURA HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Metres

CHANCELLOR shifted out at the start and bumped GOLD TALENT.

GOLD TALENT was then steadied shortly after the start when crowded for room between CHANCELLOR and DIAMOND FRIENDS, both of which shifted ground.

Also shortly after the start, ANIMATION MASTER was steadied away from the heels of SILVER DRAGON which drifted out.

From wide barriers, THE SYLPH and CLASSIC JEWELLERY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, CHANCELLOR was steadied after racing in restricted room between DIAMOND FRIENDS and SILVER DRAGON which got its head on the side and shifted out away from GRACEFUL KINGDOM which shifted out.

N Callan (BALTIC WARRIOR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DIAMOND FRIENDS, causing CHANCELLOR to be crowded for room and hampered and in turn taken in across the rightful running of ANIMATION MASTER which was severely checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

N Callan was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 18 February 2016 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, 6 February 2016.

Near the 450 Metres, KING'S STEED became unbalanced when crowded for room between DIAMOND FRIENDS and REAL SUPREME which got its head on the side and lay in.

As the Stewards were satisfied that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken.

Rounding the Home Turn, REAL SUPREME, which was commencing to give ground, raced tight between BALTIC WARRIOR and KING'S STEED which shifted out.

At the 250 Metres, CLASSIC JEWELLERY was shifted out away from the heels of THE SYLPH to obtain clear running.

Then passing the 200 Metres, CLASSIC JEWELLERY was then shifted out further away from the heels of KING'S STEED.

Mr K W Lui, trainer of HAYHAY, advised that as the horse was stepping up to the 1650 Metres tonight and had drawn the outside barrier, it was decided to ride the horse quietly in the early stages as it was felt that this would provide it with the best opportunity to finish off the race.

A veterinary inspection of ANIMATION MASTER and GOLD TALENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that GRACEFUL KINGDOM had sustained a small cut to the left hind heel.

SILVER DRAGON and GRACEFUL KINGDOM were sent for sampling.