Recap by phillip woo

Funny Fortune enjoyed a lovely run on the back of the speed, stayed to the inside upon straightening and got up 200m out for a third win this campaign. Plunged late, Hurry Hurry Up was handily ridden on the fence behind Funny Fortune, eased four deep upon straightening and closed off reasonably well to grab second 100m out. Dragon Glory settled one off the fence travelling fore of midfield, made his move 450m out and finished well with three wider out for a placing. Fresh And Fresh was yielding ground over the last 100m after pressing forward from a wide gate to eventually share the lead with Choice Exchequer 700m out. High Speed Metro got going five deep after travelling third from the rear when the race was all but over. Endless Love made some ground late near the inside after travelling second from the back. Choice Exchequer was stopping 220m out after finding the lead as expected 1,400m out. Favourite Oracle went amiss 430m out after a prominent run.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (593)-ULSAN HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Metres

When the field was about to be loaded into the barriers, DRAGON GLORY lost its right front plate.

This plate was refitted which caused a delay to the start.

DRAGON GLORY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race.

VIVACIOUS WINNER began awkwardly and lost ground.

SNOWHOOVES began awkwardly.

HIGH SPEED METRO was steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners.

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

After being crossed by FUNNY FORTUNE passing the winning post on the first occasion, HURRY HURRY UP travelled keenly and was steadied away from the heels of that horse for some distance.

Passing the 1000 Metres, HIGH SPEED METRO got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SNOWHOOVES.

NATURAL FRIENDSHIP travelled wide and without cover until approaching the 600 Metres.

Passing the 450 Metres, ORACLE broke down and was retired from the race.

A veterinary inspection of ORACLE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg.

The Veterinary Officer reported that after being transported back to Sha Tin, ORACLE was found to be sound in front, however, was found to be lame in the right hind leg.

Before being allowed to race again, ORACLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Near the 400 Metres, HIGH SPEED METRO was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of SNOWHOOVES which shifted to the inside of ORACLE when that horse was being retired out of the race.

Approaching the 250 Metres, FUNNY FORTUNE raced tight inside CHOICE EXCHEQUER which shifted in when under pressure.

CHOICE EXCHEQUER was then directed out and brushed FRESH AND FRESH after the 250 Metres.

Passing the 200 Metres, K Teetan (HIGH SPEED METRO) dropped his whip.

K Teetan was advised that as this was the third occasion that he had dropped his whip in races during the current season, should he come to notice in the near future regarding this matter, further action may be taken.

After the 100 Metres, DRAGON GLORY raced tight outside HURRY HURRY UP.

The performance of PERFECT TRIUMPH, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned regarding his riding of FRESH AND FRESH after the 900 Metres, M Chadwick stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position on FRESH AND FRESH in the early stages and, if possible, to sit outside the anticipated leader CHOICE EXCHEQUER.

He said he was also asked to increase the tempo from about the 800 Metres as FRESH AND FRESH is one-paced and it was thought that the horse may be able to establish something of a margin over the field at this stage of the race.

He said in the early stages he was able to position FRESH AND FRESH outside CHOICE EXCHEQUER and remained racing in that position until after the 900 Metres.

He said at this time he commenced to increase the tempo to establish whether it was available to him to advance clear of CHOICE EXCHEQUER.

He added however that after the 800 Metres CHOICE EXCHEQUER continued forward with FRESH AND FRESH and after the 700 Metres he determined that it was not available to him to assume the outright lead and as he was aware that the race was being run at a quicker than normal tempo, he attempted to steady FRESH AND FRESH as he did not want it to come off the bridle and be challenged by other horses.

Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of FRESH AND FRESH, confirmed the instructions given to Jockey Chadwick.

He said as FRESH AND FRESH was backing up after racing over 1800 Metres last week and as it is one-paced, he felt that its fitness would assist the horse if it were able to obtain the lead along the Back Straight and establish a margin over the rest of the field.

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

ORACLE, FUNNY FORTUNE and HURRY HURRY UP were sent for sampling.