Recap by phillip woo

Chater Legend rallied well from behind midfield to take control 100m out. He had put the writing on the wall with a near win two back but will find it harder at the top of the weights in this grade. Pearl Warm Warm out-finished favourite Vara Pearl after travelling fourth from the rear for second. He has trouble winning at this level but has placed in half his six starts this term. Vara Pearl came with a bold run with two wider out after travelling second from the rear. He filled the frame in four straight runs but doesn't have many points in hand. Lotus Breeze had his chance following a prominent run and only held his ground over the last 100m. He's on his mark. Bullish Smart grudgingly gave way after reclaiming the front 350m out following a pace-stalking performance from a wide gate. He can't seem to draw a gate but is well rated off his current mark and can breakthrough at any time.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (315)-CAUSEWAY HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1650Metres

ART OF RAW was slow to begin.

CHATER LEGEND shifted out at the start and bumped TEN FLAMES.

PEARL WARM WARM began awkwardly and lost ground.

Shortly after the start, SUPER FLUKE was bumped by BULLISH SMART which was taken in by GRAND HARBOUR.

From a wide barrier, VARA PEARL was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

When racing wide passing the winning post on the first occasion, SUPER FLUKE was steadied to obtain a trailing position behind SILVERFIELD.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, TEN FLAMES got its head up when being steadied to allow LOTUS BREEZE to cross.

After this, TEN FLAMES got its head on the side, shifted out and was checked away from the heels of LOTUS BREEZE approaching the 1300 Metres.

The performance of ART OF RAW, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

When questioned, Apprentice K K Chiong stated that she had been instructed to lead on CHEERFUL BOY in accordance with the horse's usual racing pattern.

She said after standing well in the barriers, CHEERFUL BOY bounded in the air as the start was effected which resulted in the horse losing ground at the start.

She said after initially riding her mount along in an endeavour to make up some lost ground, it became apparent to her that CHEERFUL BOY would not be able to obtain a forward position and therefore a short distance after the start she steadied CHEERFUL BOY to obtain cover which resulted in CHEERFUL BOY initially racing much further back in the field than had been intended.

She said after the 1300 Metres CHEERFUL BOY commenced to travel keenly and near the 1000 Metres shifted out away from the heels of SUPER FLUKE which resulted in CHEERFUL BOY racing wide and without cover.

She said at this time she did not consider the tempo of the race was overly quick and therefore, having regard to the manner in which CHEERFUL BOY was travelling, she felt that it was in the horse's best interests to allow it to improve its position closer to the lead.

She added however that CHEERFUL BOY, after being allowed to stride forward, was left racing in a three wide position outside the leaders after the 700 Metres and then commenced to give ground near the 500 Metres.

Apprentice Chiong was advised that having regard to the sectional time from the 1200 Metres to the 800 Metres, in the opinion of the Stewards, she should have resumed her position behind SUPER FLUKE rather than going forward after the 1000 Metres.

Apprentice Chiong was also advised that this was the second occasion during tonight's racemeeting that she had been questioned regarding decisions she made in races relating to the tempo of those races.

She was further advised to be mindful of the manner in which races are being run when deciding the positioning of horses she rides.

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

After the race, S de Sousa stated that SILVERFIELD did not feel comfortable in its action in the Straight and because of this he eased the horse down over the concluding stages.

He said, in his opinion, SILVERFIELD did not feel comfortable in front and was reluctant to stretch out.

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

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

A veterinary inspection of SUPER FLUKE and SUPER TALENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

VARA PEARL, CHATER LEGEND and PEARL WARM WARM were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

17 December 2016 Sha Tin Racemeeting - Race 3 (270) The Stewards tonight afforded Mr A T Millard, the trainer of HIT THE BID, the opportunity to explain the tactics adopted on the horse in this race.

He said, from the outside barrier, he was reluctant to have HIT THE BID ridden along to obtain a forward position as the horse was racing over 1650 Metres and he was concerned that it would not be able to finish off the race if use had to be made of HIT THE BID in the early stages.

He said he therefore instructed Apprentice K K Chiong to shift HIT THE BID across behind runners in the hope that it would be able to finish off the race.

He said however that HIT THE BID lost touch with the field in the middle stages when racing in last place and consequently was not able to close off the race as well as he had hoped.

Mr Millard was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, given the makeup of the field, in the opinion of the Stewards, there appeared to be an opportunity for HIT THE BID to obtain a forward position without having too much use made of it.

He was therefore reminded of his obligation to have horses trained by him ridden in such a manner to obtain the most advantageous position.



2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Sha Tin Racemeeting on 1 January 2017 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of ROCK THE TREE, HIGH SPEED METRO, BOND ELEGANCE, FISH N' CHIPS, LONDON MASTER, WINGOLD, PLAIN BLUE BANNER, GO BEAUTY GO, TRIUMPHANT LIGHT, INFINITY ENDEAVOUR, STAR OF PATCH, DARING FIT, KING MORTAR, KEEN VENTURE, TEAM SWEET, A BEAUTIFUL, GREAT TREASURE, BLIZZARD, DASHING FELLOW, RAZOR QUEST, BOOMING DELIGHT, SEASON BLOOM, REGENCY BO BO, MR STUNNING, MIDNIGHT RATTLER and INVINCIBLE DRAGON revealed no apparent abnormality.



3.

Racing Laboratory tests of SUPER FORM, ACCLAIMED LIGHT, AGIAAL, FAITHFUL BOY, EXCELLENCE, DASHING FORTUNE, WILD BOY, NEVER BETTER, SPEEDY ACHIEVER, YO-YO DA, PAKISTAN BABY, WORKS OF ART, SUPER SPRINTER, HAPPY AND HEALTHY, VICTORY BOYS, SHARP SAILOR, PRAWN BABA, GREEN CARD, WONDERFUL JOURNEY, LAMAROSA, COUNTRY MELODY and SUPER TURBO (22.12.16) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 2: WORLD CITY on 3.1.17 on veterinary advice.

Race 4: ROYAL PARTNER on 3.1.17 on veterinary advice.

Race 5: LOTUS STRIKES BACK on 2.1.17 on veterinary advice.



2.

Fine Race 2: Trainer A Lee (PEARL HARBOUR): $2,000 for a declaration error.



3.

Severe Reprimand Race 2: S de Sousa (VERY RICH MAN) for shifting in approaching the 1100 Metres.



4.

Reprimand Race 2: J Moreira (GRACYDAD) for shifting in close to the finishing line.



5.

Warnings Race 2: M L Yeung (HAYMAKER) re his riding approaching and passing the 500 Metres.

Race 4: Apprentice K K Chiong (METALLIC STAR) re her riding in the early stages.

Race 7: N Callan (HELENE SUPER STAR) for shifting in approaching the 100 Metres.

Race 8: Apprentice K K Chiong (CHEERFUL BOY) re her riding in the middle stages.



6.

Barrier Trials Race 2: PEARL HARBOUR Race 8: ART OF RAW

7.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2: WORLD CITY PEARL HARBOUR Race 4: ROYAL PARTNER Race 5: LOTUS STRIKES BACK Race 7: FLAME HERO Race 8: ART OF RAW SILVERFIELD