Recap by phillip woo

Plenty Of Speed settled second on the fence underneath leader Hay Go Lucky, stayed near the inside when straightening, drew level for the front at the 200m and outduelled Super King Star over the final 100m for a first win at his 21st start. Super King Star peeled out four deep after a one-off run in fourth and kept grinding away to just miss in a better performance with a return to the turf. Bernard's Choice managed to get up for a placing following a handy run along the fence despite being short of clear running behind the leaders for most of the straight. Hay Go Lucky led one off the fence from a wide gate and went down fighting in an improved effort with a drop in grade. Fantasticlife settled second from the rear, peeled into the open with three wider out at the 330m and closed off well to just miss a Quartet spot. Plain Blue Banner eased into the open near six deep at the 300m following a one-off trip from behind midfield and ran on steadily. Smart Planet got by beaten rivals from the back. Safari Magic only held his ground with one wider out after a three-deep run with cover outside Plain Blue Banner despite a tonne of money for him late. Favourite Friends Forever pressed forward to sit three deep without cover in third at the 900m following a slow break and was struggling 250m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race One: (638)-HO SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1400Metres

FRIENDS FOREVER began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SMART PLANET, causing both horses to become unbalanced and to lose ground.

FRIENDS FOREVER then travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in the Straight gave ground.

The performance of FRIENDS FOREVER, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

B Prebble (SUPER KING STAR) 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 PLENTY OF SPEED, resulting in that horse being taken in onto LUCKY PLACE which was in turn taken across the rightful running of DANEWIN TIGER which was checked.

B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 2 June 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 22 May 2016.

In addition, B Prebble was fined $27,500.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SAFARI MAGIC failed to muster speed and then near the 1250 Metres momentarily raced tight between DOUBLE POINT and FRIENDS FOREVER, both of which shifted ground.

Approaching the 350 Metres, FRESH AND FRESH became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by FANTASTICLIFE (G Lerena) which improved into tight running between that horse and FRIENDS FOREVER which was commencing to give ground.

G Lerena was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

Close to the finishing line, BERNARD'S CHOICE was steadied when crowded for room inside PLENTY OF SPEED (Y T Cheng) which shifted in under pressure.

Y T Cheng was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances.

A veterinary inspection of FRIENDS FOREVER and FRESH AND FRESH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

FRIENDS FOREVER, PLENTY OF SPEED and SUPER KING STAR were sent for sampling.