Recap by phillip woo

Smart Declaration was given a well-executed ride from a wide gate to land a spot one off in midfield, swung the final bend with three wider out and let down willingly to grab victory in the final 20m to continue his fine form over the Valley 1,000m. Early favourite Grace Heart came on one off the fence following a prominent run to briefly poke his head in front 30m out only to get nabbed in the final few strides. Well-punted late, Buddy Bundy punched through along the inside to lead from Ocean Roar 500m out, turned a length on top and grudgingly gave way. Flying Force settled worse than midfield along the fence, straightened one off without a clear run until the last 50m. He would have gone close to winning with a clean trip. Mr Right kept on reasonably well four deep after a deep run without cover near the speed. Punted late, Ocean Roar was slowly coming back to the field over the final 150m after holding or sharing the lead for the most part one off the fence. Gracydad travelled second from the rear, shifted into the open five deep at the 200m and ran on steadily thereafter. Late-fancied favourite Top Bonus lost every chance when getting hampered approaching the final bend by Easy Touch after a handy run without cover. Easy Touch had travelled fore of midfield underneath Top Bonus and was eased down in the straight after drifting off the course 550m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (562)-NOONDAY GUN HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1000Metres

TOP BONUS shifted in on jumping and bumped MR RIGHT.

GOLDEN SUN was slow to begin.

GRACYDAD (T H So) got its head up on jumping.

T H So was reminded of his obligation to ensure that his mounts are given every opportunity to begin.

BUDDY BUNDY was crowded for room on jumping between OCEAN ROAR which shifted in and EXCEL ONESELF which shifted out after beginning awkwardly.

From the outside barrier, FIVE STARS AGENT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 600 Metres, EASY TOUCH, which was having its first race start in Hong Kong, proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of MR RIGHT.

Then making the first turn near the 550 Metres, EASY TOUCH shifted out and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of TOP BONUS which became badly unbalanced when racing wide and without cover.

EASY TOUCH then continued to shift out and made contact with TOP BONUS on a number of occasions, resulting in that horse becoming further unbalanced, being taken wider and losing a considerable amount of ground.

Then passing the 500 Metres, EASY TOUCH hung out across the heels of TOP BONUS, ran wide and was consequently eased down.

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

The performance of EASY TOUCH was considered unacceptable.

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

FLYING FORCE was unable to obtain clear running until over the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be properly tested.

Throughout the race, MR RIGHT travelled wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of EXCEL ONESELF immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and also an endoscopic examination showed the horse to have a substantial amount of mucus in its trachea..

Before being allowed to race again, EXCEL ONESELF will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

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

TOP BONUS, SMART DECLARATION and GRACE HEART were sent for sampling.