Recap by phillip woo

Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way responded nicely after switching into the open at the 200m following a rails run in midfield to get up in the final 20m for a debut win. He's stamped himself as a serious Derby prospect. Santa Fe Sun switched into the open at the 300m after travelling behind midfield along the fence and finished strongly to make it close at the wire. He keeps running well in defeat and will be winning shortly. Apollo's Choice was swamped late after working to the front 250m out following a pace-stalking run. He doesn't know how to run bad races over the 1,400m and mile. Cheeky Too kept on gamely to just miss a placing after a prominent run without cover the entire trip. He's running well but does have too many points in hand. Short-priced favourite Pakistan Star ran on without menacing after switching off from a wide gate. He's still a work in progress. Western Express made a mild bid after a deep run travelling fourth from the rear. The step to a mile following an impressive debut win over the 1,200m was his undoing. He probably prefers the 1,400m for the time being.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (259)-EISHIN PRESTON HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1600Metres

NASSA was withdrawn on 10.12.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter DUKEDOM (D Whyte).

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

HIGH AND MIGHTY was slow to begin.

LITTLE DRAGON lost its left front plate at the start.

LITTLE DRAGON shifted out on jumping and bumped EAGLE WAY.

From wide barriers, WESTERN EXPRESS, DUKEDOM and PAKISTAN STAR were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 1500 Metres, SPICY SURE shifted out, resulting in APOLLO'S CHOICE being hampered and taken wider.

Throughout the early and middle stages, LUCKY GIRL proved very difficult to settle and got its head up repeatedly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of runners in front.

After the 1500 Metres, LITTERATEUR got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle.

Passing the 1300 Metres, SICHUAN DAR got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of LUCKY GIRL.

SICHUAN DAR was held up for clear running approaching and passing the 300 Metres.

Over the concluding stages, HIGH AND MIGHTY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LITTLE DRAGON.

Close to the finishing line, TONYBOY turned its head towards SANTA FE SUN, resulting in its rider, M L Yeung, having to stop riding and correct his mount.

For the majority of the race, CHEEKY TOO travelled wide and without cover.

The Stewards opened an inquiry into the tactics adopted on LUCKY GIRL.

S de Sousa stated that during the week he had a number of discussions with Mr C H Yip, the trainer of LUCKY GIRL, regarding the manner in which the horse should be ridden in today's race.

He said Mr Yip advised him that both he and the owner of LUCKY GIRL had been disappointed with the manner in which the horse had finished off its last two races when leading, in particular at its last start when the horse was well beaten after dictating the tempo of the race.

He said therefore it was decided to ride LUCKY GIRL from off the speed as the horse had previously been successful and had generally performed well when being ridden in this manner by him.

He said in these discussions he had agreed that LUCKY GIRL may be suited by being ridden more patiently as the horse had weakened when ridden by him after racing in the lead over 1800 Metres at Sha Tin on 23 October 2016.

Mr Yip stated that following its last start when the horse was ridden by a claiming apprentice and had not finished off its race, the owner of LUCKY GIRL had directed him to attempt to obtain the services of S de Sousa in today's race given that the horse had raced successfully when ridden by him in the past.

He said the owner had also requested for LUCKY GIRL to be ridden from about a midfield position if possible as he was disappointed that the horse was beaten 5 lengths after appearing to have been able to run the race at its own tempo.

Mr Yip advised that in the Parade Ring he informed the owner that today's race appeared to lack genuine speed and would likely not be run at a genuine tempo, however, the owner confirmed that the horse should be ridden patiently if at all possible.

S de Sousa stated that after being able to obtain a position around midfield, LUCKY GIRL would not settle and after over-racing did not finish off the race.

The Stewards adjourned the inquiry until a date to be fixed at which time the owner of LUCKY GIRL will be requested to appear.

S de Sousa and Mr Yip were advised that the Stewards would consider the evidence provided thus far as well as review the horse's previous races prior to the resumption of the inquiry.

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

PAKISTAN STAR, EAGLE WAY and SANTA FE SUN were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

Races 9 and 10 were each put back 5 minutes.



2.

7 December 2016 Happy Valley Racemeeting a.

Race 6 (246) The Stewards today interviewed G Lerena regarding the information which had been provided to them by the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa subsequent to G Lerena being found guilty of a charge of careless riding at the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 7 December 2016.

On that occasion, G Lerena's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Thursday, 8 December 2016 and to expire on Thursday, 15 December 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

On Friday, 9 December 2016, the Stewards were informed that G Lerena had been suspended for a period to commence on 8 December 2016 until 14 December 2016, both dates inclusive.

This coincided with the period of suspension imposed by the Stewards at the Happy Valley racemeeting on 7 December 2016.

G Lerena stated that the relevant racing incident occurred on 17 November 2016, however, he had not been aware until Tuesday, 6 December 2016 whether a period of suspension was to be imposed.

He said when he addressed the Stewards in respect of the matter of penalty on Wednesday, 7 December 2016, he was unaware of the dates of suspension imposed by the South African authority, however, he admitted that he should have informed the Stewards that there may have been a matter which was outstanding.

In all the circumstances, the Stewards did not proceed to charging him with a breach of the Rules for failing to reveal the outstanding matter, however, the period of suspension handed down at the Happy Valley racemeeting on 7 December 2016 was revised to commence on Thursday, 15 December 2016 and to expire on Friday, 23 December 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).b.

Race 9 (249) On Wednesday, 7 December 2016, the Stewards reported that they would interview J Moreira prior to today's racemeeting regarding the performance of WINNIE'S HONEY in this race.

However, on Thursday, 8 December 2016, a routine post-race veterinary inspection of WINNIE'S HONEY found that horse to be lame in its right front leg.

Accordingly, there was no requirement for Jockey Moreira to be questioned regarding the performance of the horse.



3.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 7 December 2016 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of DUTCH WINDMILL, MOMENT OF POWER, ALMABABY, JOLLY CONVERGENCE, LOVE SHOCK, NUMERO UNO, PREMIERE, SECRET AGENT, GIANT TURTLE, CASA MASTER, WONDERFUL FIGHTER, VERY RICH MAN, WORKS OF ART, MUTUAL JOY, KIRAM, BEAUTY PRINCE, BIG BANG BONG, VARA PEARL, SUPREME PROFIT and STAR MAJESTIC revealed no apparent abnormality.



4.

Racing Laboratory tests of SNOWHOOVES, SHOWING CHARACTER, FOREVER FUN, DOUBLE POINT, ROCK THE TREE, MASTER STEED, YO-YO DA, WINNING BOY, SEA JADE, HASTA LA VISTA, PEARL FURU, GREAT JOY, WAYFOONG VINNIE, LUCKY DAY, CHARITY GLORY, DINOZZO, VICTORY BOYS, WHO ELSE BUT YOU, WONDERFUL JOURNEY and I'M A WITNESS (30.11.16) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 5: PURE SENSATION on raceday morning on veterinary advice.

Race 6: BORN IN CHINA at barriers on veterinary advice.

Race 10: NASSA on 10.12.16 on veterinary advice.



2.

Fines Race 3: J Moreira (BEAT THE CLOCK): $5,000 for lodging a frivolous protest/objection.

Race 5: K Teetan (SUPER JOCKEY): $40,000 for careless riding near the 900 Metres.



3.

Reprimands Race 3: H Bowman (BOOMING DELIGHT) for shifting out after the 600 Metres.

Race 4: R Moore (HIGHLAND REEL) for shifting in approaching the 2100 Metres.

Race 5: B Prebble (LUCKY BUBBLES) for shifting out approaching the 600 Metres.

Race 9: Z Purton (LINE SEEKER) for shifting out approaching the 350 Metres.

S de Sousa (MALMSTEEN) for shifting out passing the 300 Metres.



4.

Warnings Race 2: M Guyon (GENERAL SHERMAN) for shifting in right on the finishing line.

M Guyon (GENERAL SHERMAN) for raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder.

Race 7: D O'Brien (COUGAR MOUNTAIN) for shifting in passing the 200 Metres.

Race 9: Apprentice H T Mo (MYTHICAL EMPEROR) for shifting out near the 1100 Metres.

J Moreira (MR STUNNING) for shifting in near the 850 Metres.



5.

Suspensions Race 1: C Soumillon (SUNNY DRAGON) for careless riding near the 1000 Metres (from 12 December 2016 until 18 December 2016 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 4: D Lane (BIG ORANGE) for careless riding near the 2200 Metres (from 12 December 2016 until 28 December 2016 on which day he may resume race riding - 4 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 5: B Melham (REBEL DANE) for careless riding for some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres (from 18 December 2016 until 5 January 2017 on which day he may resume race riding - 4 Hong Kong racedays).

K Teetan (SUPER JOCKEY) for careless riding near the 900 Metres (from 18 December 2016 until 5 January 2017 on which day he may resume race riding - 4 Hong Kong racedays).

General: G Lerena (BREEDERS' STAR) for careless riding for some distance approaching and passing the 600 Metres (from 15 December 2016 until 23 December 2016 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).



6.

Protest/Objection Race 3

7.

Adjourned Inquiry Race 10

8.

Stalls Test Race 1: SWISS WARRIOR

9.

Barrier Trials Race 4: HELENE HAPPY STAR ANTICIPATION

10.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: HARBOUR NOVA Race 4: HELENE HAPPY STAR ANTICIPATION Race 6: BORN IN CHINA Race 10: NASSA