Recap by phillip woo

Punted late, Lucky Ever was nicely rated on the back of the speed, went to the front four deep at the 200m and kept on gamely for the win with the claim of Kei Chiong Ka-kei well utilised. Almababy powered to the front from a wide gate at the 950m, cornered near two lengths on top and kept finding to inject some value into the exotics in a vastly-improved run. Early favourite Solar Hei Hei settled one off the fence in midfield, barged his way into the open five deep at the 400m and closed off reasonably well to grab third 20m out. Our Folks was handily-ridden and relegated to fourth in the run to the wire. Posttime favourite Who Else But You dropped anchor after jumping well from gate eight to enjoy the box-seat run, stuck to the fence upon straightening and was always tight for room behind Almababy. Debutant Sky King was ridden for luck second from the rear from a wide gate, swung the final bend widest out and made some ground.

Racing Incident Report

Race Six: (458)-THE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG RACING JOURNALISTS CHALLENGECUP (HANDICAP) (Sec2) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

FLYING MACHINE began very awkwardly and shortly after the start was shifted out away from the heels of GOOD CHOI LEE which was taken out by KINGSTON JUMBO.

A short distance after this, GOOD CHOI LEE and SOLAR HEI HEI raced tight between KINGSTON JUMBO which shifted out and GLORIOUS AVENUE which initially shifted in when being ridden along and then shifted further ground after being bumped on the hindquarters by SOLAR HEI HEI.

From a wide barrier, SKY KING was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

SUPER CLAN was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across to obtain cover.

Passing the 1000 Metres, LUCKY EVER commenced to race keenly.

Near the 950 Metres, SKY KING got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in GLORIOUS AVENUE being bumped and taken wider.

Also near the 950 Metres, OUR FOLKS commenced to travel keenly and was shifted out away from the heels of WHO ELSE BUT YOU.

KINGSTON JUMBO, which was following, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of OUR FOLKS in consequence.

Making the turn at the 900 Metres, SKY KING got its head on the side and shifted out across the heels of SENSATION, resulting in GLORIOUS AVENUE being hampered and taken wider.

FLYING MACHINE got its head on the side and lay out making the turn after the 900 Metres.

Passing the 500 Metres, SKY KING, which was racing greenly, shifted out after being brushed by SUPER CLAN which shifted out to obtain clear running.

Passing the 400 Metres, SENSATION and SOLAR HEI HEI raced tight as SOLAR HEI HEI shifted out into clear running.

Approaching and passing the 300 Metres, WHO ELSE BUT YOU raced tight inside ALMABABY when attempting to improve inside that horse where there was not quite sufficient room.

Then near the 100 Metres, WHO ELSE BUT YOU again raced in restricted room inside ALMABABY.

Over the concluding stages, WHO ELSE BUT YOU was unable to be fully tested when it remained racing in restricted room inside ALMABABY which shifted in slightly under pressure.

For the majority of the race, GOOD CHOI LEE travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the improved performance of ALMABABY, second placegetter, Trainer Y S Tsui stated that the horse had shown good speed in its barrier trials prior to commencing racing in Hong Kong.

He said the horse, which had only had four starts in this jurisdiction, had disappointed him in the manner in which it failed to close off its races.

He said as ALMABABY was stepping back up in distance to 1200 Metres today, he had instructed Y T Cheng to ride the horse positively in the early stages from its wide barrier as with the rail in the C position he believed that its best opportunity to finish off the race would be for it to obtain the lead if possible.

He added whilst he anticipated that the horse may improve in today's race if it was able to dictate the terms of the race in the lead, he did not expect that it would run as well as it did.

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

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

WHO ELSE BUT YOU, LUCKY EVER and ALMABABY were sent for sampling.