Recap by phillip woo

Midnight Rattler finished willingly after travelling behind midfield to grab victory 100m out with money coming for him late. He was an unlucky fourth when last running over this trip and a winning run was no surprise. It was a huge ducking-and-weaving run by the late-fancied Invincible Dragon who spotted the field five lengths at the start to get up for second in the final few strides. He's had a late start following lames issues but has always shown ability and will be good for at least two wins this term. Favourite Mr Stunning jumped alertly to lead from a wide gate and grudgingly gave way after being pestered for the lead 650 out by Most Beautiful. He's not one to write off. Clever Beaver was held up for a run until the 300m following a midfield run and came home well to finish a clear fourth. He's honest but doesn't have many points in hand. Merion was never properly tested, only getting a clear run 100m out. He can be forgiven for the run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eleven: (307)-TAI MO SHAN HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Metres

When parading behind the barriers, MIDNIGHT RATTLER was kicked by another runner.

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

Just prior to the start being effected, INVINCIBLE DRAGON became fractious and then as the start was effected sat back, resulting in the horse losing a considerable amount of ground.

Before being allowed to race again, INVINCIBLE DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.

MARVEL TRIBE and PERPETUAL TREASURE were badly crowded for room on jumping between FLYING MOOCHI and CLEVER BEAVER, both of which shifted ground.

SECRET COMMAND began awkwardly.

From wide barriers, KEY WITNESS and TURF SPRINT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

For some distance after the 1200 Metres, FLYING MOOCHI, after being crossed by MR STUNNING, proved very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of that horse.

Passing the 1000 Metres, SECRET COMMAND raced tight between MERION and TURF SPRINT.

MERION was unable to obtain clear running from on straightening until after the 100 Metres.

CLEVER BEAVER was held up for a run in the early part of the Straight and near the 350 Metres was shifted to the outside of MIDNIGHT RATTLER to obtain clear running.

For some distance after the 200 Metres, PERPETUAL TREASURE and LINE SEEKER were awkwardly placed inside the heels of SO FAST which got its head on the side and shifted in away from MIDNIGHT RATTLER.

PERPETUAL TREASURE was unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the Straight and consequently was not able to be tested.

Throughout the race, MOST BEAUTIFUL travelled wide and without cover.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LINE SEEKER, Z Purton stated that he had to make use of the horse in the middle stages to prevent SO FAST from improving to his outside.

He said he was reluctant to allow SO FAST to gain an advantage over LINE SEEKER as the tempo of the race had been genuine and he did not want to be caught behind the leaders if they commenced to weaken.

He said because he had to make use of LINE SEEKER, he felt that the horse was then not able to finish off the race as strongly as it might otherwise would have done.

He said although LINE SEEKER was placed in restricted room inside SO FAST after the 200 Metres, in his opinion, the horse was beaten at this stage and had little effect on the horse's finishing position.

A veterinary inspection of LINE SEEKER immediately following the race confirmed the horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported.

MR STUNNING, MIDNIGHT RATTLER and INVINCIBLE DRAGON were sent for sampling.

GENERAL:

1.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 27 December 2016 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of LEAN JOURNEY, INTELLECTUAL GLIDE, AMAZING ALWAYS, IMPERIAL SEAL, PAKISTAN STAR, SEA JADE, HOT HOT PEPPER, SUPER SIXTEEN, SPRING WIN, HOUSE OF FUN, HAPPY AGILITY, FANCY MUSIC, GREAT JOY, IMPERIAL CONCORDE, ENREACHING, D B PIN, SUPER WISE, SUPREME PROFIT, DINOZZO, MAGICAL BEAUTY, TRAVEL FIRST, RED MARVEL, MY DARLING and BEAUTY GENERATION revealed no apparent abnormality.



2.

Racing Laboratory tests of SOCCER BRAVE, JIMSON THE FAMOUS, ACE KING, HEALTHY LUCK, PEACE COMBINATION, EROICO, PACKING LLAREGYB, MONEY BOY, RADIANT STEED, GO BEAUTY GO, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT, KING'S MAN, EVEREST, REGENCY BO BO, GOOD METHOD, ORIONIDS, HAMMER KING, RACING MATE, BAD BOY, MY LITTLE FRIEND, BEAUTY KINGDOM, JOLLY JOLLY, BRING IT ON, UNICRON JEWELLERY, HAPPY PLACE and SKY KING (17.12.16) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 7: SNOW SLIDER on 31.12.16 on veterinary advice.

Race 8: MR BOGART on 29.12.16 on veterinary advice.

Race 9: CHOICE TREASURE on 31.12.16 on veterinary advice.



2.

Fines Race 1: Trainer C W Chang (MY FOLKS): $3,000 for presenting the horse in the Parade Ring with a tongue tie which was not part of its declared gear.

Trainer C W Chang (MY FOLKS): $10,000 for a breach of Rule 155(5).



3.

Severe Reprimand Race 6: S Clipperton (KING MORTAR) for shifting out passing the 350 Metres.



4.

Reprimands Race 1: B Prebble (ROCK THE TREE) for shifting in approaching the 200 Metres.

Race 2: M Chadwick (PEACE COMBINATION) for shifting out approaching the 900 Metres.



5.

Warnings Race 1: S Clipperton (LOYAL CRAFTSMAN) for shifting out passing the 200 Metres.

A Badel (CHOICE EXCHEQUER) for raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder.

Race 6: C Y Ho (FUN MACHINE) re his riding in the Straight.

Race 8: A Badel (DASHING FELLOW) for shifting out passing the 200 Metres.

Race 10: Apprentice H T Mo (JOLLY CONVERGENCE) for easing the pace of races too abruptly.



6.

Suspension Race 3: T H So (MASSIVE POWER) for careless riding passing the 350 Metres (from 8 January 2017 until 12 January 2017 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).



7.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 6: ENDEARING

8.

Bleeder Race 1: FRANCE VALOUR

9.

Stalls Test Race 11: INVINCIBLE DRAGON

10.

Barrier Trials Race 3: THUNDERSTROKE Race 6: ENDEARING Race 10: PRINCIPAL

11.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: MY FOLKS Race 2: TEN SPEED Race 3: ROYAL SPIRIT THUNDERSTROKE FUNNY BUDDIES Race 6: ENDEARING FAVOURITISM SUPER LEADER Race 7: SNOW SLIDER Race 8: MR BOGART SUN JEWELLERY BEAUTY FLAME Race 9: CHOICE TREASURE Race 10: PRINCIPAL