Recap by phillip woo

Designs On Rome was put to the sword at the 650m after tacking on at the rear of the field 1,000m out following a tardy break, straightened with two wider out and finished well to take control 100m out for back-to-back Cup wins. Helene Happy Star finished nicely widest out after travelling third from the rear to snatch second 20m out. Military Attack was held up early straight following a box-seat run behind the leaders Dan Excel and Helene Super Star, got the gaps to hit the front 250m out and found a couple too smart in the end. Dominant was badly held up three-to-four deep upon straightening following a rails run in midfield until the 150m and finished well thereafter to snatch fourth. Blazing Speed came up flat over the last 100m following a one-out, one-back run as the favourite. Flame Hero made his run behind midfield along the fence, was held up behind Giant Treasure when trying to pull out five deep for a run at the 300m, shifted further out at the 150m and ran on reasonably well thereafter. He should have gone closer. Secret Weapon was still well back upon straightening and was getting going late after switching into the open with two wider out at the 150m. Giant Treasure didn't lift following a one-off run in midfield. He doesn't quite get the trip.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (440)-THE CITI HONG KONG GOLD CUP - Group One - 2000Metres

Shortly after the start, SECRET WEAPON was hampered when bumped by FLAME HERO which also shifted out after initially being bumped by HELENE SUPER STAR which shifted out.

From the outside barrier, HELENE HAPPY STAR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, FLAME HERO was steadied away from the heels of MR GNOCCHI (N Rawiller) which shifted in.

N Rawiller was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.

Approaching the 1300 Metres, BLAZING SPEED was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HELENE SUPER STAR which shifted out away from the heels of DAN EXCEL when that horse was being restrained in the lead.

After this, DAN EXCEL raced keenly in the lead.

Passing the 1300 Metres, GIANT TREASURE was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLAZING SPEED.

Near the 700 Metres, HELENE HAPPY STAR got its head up when racing close to the heels of MR GNOCCHI.

Passing the 400 Metres, DOMINANT was bumped by GIANT TREASURE when disappointed for running between that horse which shifted in and BLAZING SPEED.

After this, DOMINANT was held up for clear running until near the 100 Metres.

C Soumillon (GIANT TREASURE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of FLAME HERO, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

C Soumillon was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 17 March 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Dubai Racing Club meeting to be conducted on Saturday, 5 March 2016.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the degree of interference sustained by FLAME HERO as well as the status of the race.

GIANT TREASURE lost its left front plate after the race.

A veterinary inspection of GIANT TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious.

BLAZING SPEED, DESIGNS ON ROME and HELENE HAPPY STAR were sent for sampling.