Recap by phillip woo

Fancied late in betting, Renaissance Art finished willingly with three wider out after travelling one off the fence in midfield to get up 80m out for back-to-back wins in a very quick time. Happilababy travelled three deep with cover fifth from the rear, made his move 600m out, worked to a narrow lead 200m out and kept on gamely when headed for the lead to hold off Heroic Guru for second. Heroic Guru was pulling hard before settling better 1,000m out three back along the fence, straightened near the inside and stayed on well to make it close in a battle for the minors. Star Majestic was caught deep with cover behind midfield, rounded the final bend six deep and closed off well to just miss a placing. Anticipation finished well after being ridden for luck at the rear from gate 14 to just miss a Quartet spot. Specked late McQueen kept on evenly after handing up the lead to Supreme Profit 1,300m. Favourite Basic Trilogy made some ground without menacing.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (760)-THE HONG KONG REUNIFICATION CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 2 - 2000Metres

DOYENI was withdrawn on 30.6.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPILABABY (O Doleuze).

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

ENSURING was crowded for room on jumping between ISHVARA which shifted in after being bumped by BASIC TRILOGY and MCQUEEN which shifted out.

AMBITIOUS CHAMPION began only fairly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between LITTLE DRAGON which shifted out after being bumped by STAR MAJESTIC and HARBOUR MASTER which was taken in by HAPPILABABY after those two horses bumped on jumping.

Shortly after the start, BASIC TRILOGY got its head up when being steadied to obtain cover and approaching the winning post on the first occasion became unbalanced after being bumped by ISHVARA which shifted out.

After passing the winning post on the first occasion, HEROIC GURU momentarily raced in restricted room inside RENAISSANCE ART which was taken in by MCQUEEN.

After the 1700 Metres, SUPREME PROFIT was shifted away from the heels of LUCKY GIRL and taken wider by that horse which was taken out by ISHVARA.

Approaching the 1600 Metres, MCQUEEN got its head up when being steadied in the lead.

After the 1200 Metres, LITTLE DRAGON was left racing wide and without cover.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, HAPPILABABY was bumped by BASIC TRILOGY which shifted out away from the heels of STAR MAJESTIC when proving difficult to settle.

Approaching the 600 Metres, AMBITIOUS CHAMPION was taken wider by BASIC TRILOGY which shifted out.

Passing the 500 Metres, BASIC TRILOGY was inconvenienced when disappointed for running between STAR MAJESTIC and RENAISSANCE ART which, when shifting to the outside of ISHVARA, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse.

In this incident, RENAISSANCE ART bumped the hindquarters of STAR MAJESTIC which became unbalanced.

ENSURING had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

HARBOUR MASTER was held up for clear running passing the 250 Metres.

In the Straight, HAPPILABABY hung in and proved difficult to ride and near the 100 Metres shifted in and bumped MCQUEEN.

ENSURING, which was following, was shifted in away from the heels of MCQUEEN in consequence, resulting in HARBOUR MASTER being awkwardly placed over the concluding stages.

After the 100 Metres, ANTICIPATION was momentarily steadied when disappointed for running between RENAISSANCE ART and HAPPILABABY.

Then close to the finishing line, ANTICIPATION was held up for clear running behind RENAISSANCE ART and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

Near the 50 Metres, MCQUEEN was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HAPPILABABY which shifted in after being bumped by RENAISSANCE ART.

Apprentice K K Chiong (SUPREME PROFIT) was spoken to regarding the tempo of the race between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres after obtaining the lead.

Apprentice Chiong was told to be mindful of the tempo she sets so as to ensure that horses are able to finish off their race.

When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was asked not to rush LUCKY GIRL early but to allow the horse to stride forward gradually in the early stages to obtain a prominent position.

He said in the early stages LUCKY GIRL was able to improve without having to be ridden along and after entering the Back Straight was able to obtain a position outside MCQUEEN which raced behind the leader SUPREME PROFIT.

He said LUCKY GIRL travelled strongly in the middle stages and he expected the horse to finish off the race well, however, LUCKY GIRL came under pressure after the 600 Metres and, despite being ridden along, did not quicken at any time and in the Straight gave ground.

He added he could not detect any abnormalities with the action of LUCKY GIRL which may have explained the horse's disappointing run.

Mr C H Yip, the trainer of LUCKY GIRL, said as the horse had done particularly well since its last start, he expected it to run well.

He said after M L Yeung rode LUCKY GIRL in a gallop in the lead up to today's race, both he and Jockey Yeung considered the horse to be a strong chance as it had worked particularly well.

He said although up in grade today, he did feel that LUCKY GIRL would benefit from having a light weight, so he was not concerned with the step up in class.

He added he was disappointed with the manner in which LUCKY GIRL finished off the race, particularly given the way the horse weakened over the final 200 Metres.

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

The performance of LUCKY GIRL was considered unacceptable.

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

HAPPILABABY lost its right front plate.

BASIC TRILOGY, RENAISSANCE ART and HAPPILABABY were sent for sampling.