Recap by phillip woo

Odds-on favourite Lucky Year enjoyed the run of the race in third along the fence, eased into the open three deep upon straightening and responded when asked for an effort to take control 120m out for a fifth win from 10 starts. Eroico settled behind midfield along the fence, straightened four deep and finished well to run down leader Clever Beaver in a deep stretch for second in a good effort following a break. Clever Beaver easily cleared from a wide gate to enjoy an uncontested lead, came to the final bend two clear and found a couple too smart in the drive to the line. Tonyboy pressed forward out deep from a tricky gate to eventually land a spot one off in second 600m out, straightened five deep and kept grinding away to just hold High Five for a Quartet spot. High Five ran on steadily after peeling into the open with one wider out at the 300m following a midfield run to make it close for fourth. Country Melody made a steady bid near the inside following a patient ride second from the rear carrying top weight. Almababy recovered to travel deep ahead of midfield following a slow break, rounded the final bend with two wider out and only held his ground over the final 150m. Accepted made some ground down the outside after making his run third from the rear. Specked late, Caga Force wasn't good enough following a one-out, one-back run with a return to Class Two.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (656)-TAN SHAN RIVER HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Metres

Earlier today the Stewards were advised by Dr T S M Wan, the Club's Head of Racing Laboratory, that a pre-race urine sample taken from a horse entered to run in tonight's racemeeting was found to contain the prohibited substance phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone.

It was established that the pre-race urine sample was taken from MIDNIGHT RATTLER trained by Mr J Moore.

The Stewards ordered for a further urine sample to be taken from MIDNIGHT RATTLER under post-race conditions.

Dr Wan subsequently informed the Stewards that preliminary analysis of the second urine sample confirmed the presence of phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone.

The Stewards acceded to a request from Mr Moore to withdraw MIDNIGHT RATTLER from this race.

Accordingly, MIDNIGHT RATTLER was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

The matter was adjourned until a date to be fixed.

ALMABABY, which was fractious in the stalls, sat back as the start was effected, lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin.

TONYBOY began only fairly.

Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, ACCEPTED got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of HIGH FIVE.

After this, ACCEPTED continued to travel keenly and again proved very difficult to settle for a considerable distance after the 900 Metres.

Passing the 600 Metres, LUCKY YEAR raced tight inside CAGA FORCE which was steadied away from the heels of TONYBOY (Apprentice K K Chiong) which shifted in when not properly clear.

Apprentice Chiong was severely reprimanded.

After the 600 Metres, ALMABABY was left racing wide and without cover.

Near the 50 Metres, ALMABABY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TONYBOY when taken in by HIGH FIVE which got its head on the side and lay in under pressure.

This resulted in D Whyte, the rider of HIGH FIVE, having to stop riding and straighten his mount.

Over the concluding stages, COUNTRY MELODY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CLEVER BEAVER which shifted in under pressure.

When questioned, M L Yeung (CAGA FORCE) stated that he had been asked to lead if possible.

He said in accordance with his instructions, for a considerable distance in the early stages, he rode his mount along in an attempt to cross LUCKY YEAR, however, CAGA FORCE did not show sufficient speed to clear LUCKY YEAR and consequently he was unable to cross that horse in the run to the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres.

He said he continued to urge CAGA FORCE forward in an attempt to cross LUCKY YEAR after the 1000 Metres, however, LUCKY YEAR maintained its position and because of this he was not able to lead.

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

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

LUCKY YEAR and EROICO were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 14 May 2016 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of PLENTY OF SPEED, SUPER KING STAR, DIAMOND FRIENDS, ROYAL PARTNER, PRINCE FALCON, METALLIC STAR, VICTORY MASTER, ADVENTURER, LOVE SHOCK, SUN TOUCH, BLAZE STAMINA, DIEGO KOSTA, ARCHIPPUS, RACING SUPERNOVA, TRAVEL FIRST, ULTIMATE GLORY, SIMPLY INVINCIBLE, RAGING BULL, JOYFUL TRINITY, SOLAR HEI HEI, BASIC TRILOGY and WINNING LEADER revealed no apparent abnormality.



2.

Racing Laboratory tests of ORIENTAL FANTASIA, SIR JOHN, FLYING CAPTAIN, UNIQUE JOYOUS, AZTEC EMPIRE, MY LITTLE FRIEND, FABULOUS ONE, ENTRUSTING, HOLMES LEGEND, FORTUNE GIGGLES, SUPERIOR BOY, UNLEASHED DRAGON, SUPREME FLIGHT, RESPECT, DEJA VU, HELEN'S CHOICE, ARIZONA BLIZZARD, MARVEL TRIBE, FLYING MOOCHI, DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS, HAPPY METEOR, SKY HERO, AVELLINO, HAPPY SURVEYS, ATHENA BABY, RED DANCER and LEADING HORSE (7.5.16) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1: WHISTLE BLOWER on 17.5.16 on veterinary advice.

Race 3: SUM WIN DRAGON (standby runner) on 16.5.16 on veterinary advice.

Race 4: STRATEGIC ARMY prior to the race on veterinary advice.

Race 9: MIDNIGHT RATTLER prior to Race 1 by order of the Stewards.



2.

Severe Reprimand Race 9: Apprentice K K Chiong (TONYBOY) for shifting in passing the 600 Metres.



3.

Warnings Race 2: K C Ng (LAUGHING LORD) for shifting in passing the winning post on the first occasion.

Race 6: Apprentice K K Chiong (AMAZINGLY) re her riding in the early and middle stages.

Race 8: Apprentice K K Chiong (SUPEROI) for shifting out near the 150 Metres.



4.

Barrier Trials Race 2: BRIGHT CONCEPT Race 3: ONE OF A KIND DRAGON BACHELOR FILL POWER Race 5: TRIUMPHANT JEWEL

5.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: WHISTLE BLOWER HEAVENLY MASTERS Race 2: BRIGHT CONCEPT Race 3: SUM WIN DRAGON ONE OF A KIND DRAGON BACHELOR FILL POWER Race 4: STRATEGIC ARMY Race 5: TRIUMPHANT JEWEL Race 8: GOLDEN SLEEP