Recap by phillip woo

Garlic Yeah dashed to the front 120m out following a lovely run one-out, one-back to notch a second straight win. He's turned the corner and should remain competitive over the 1,800m or further following an upgrade. Telephatia pulled out rounding the final bend following a rails run behind midfield and finished well to make it close on the wire. He's always a chance over the 1,800m and further at the Valley. Wealthy Fortune kept on gamely for a placing after doing it tough without cover from a wide gate until pulling to the front 1,600m out. He's near a bottom and can pop up soon over the 1,800m or further but preferably on a wet track. Malayan Pearl just failed to get up for a placing after chasing the speed one off the fence. He had his chance and the 1,800m or 2,000m appears a more suitable trip. Punted late, Win Chance made some ground without menacing after getting shuffled back to travel fourth from the rear. Favourite Loyal Craftsman was caught without cover in the run behind midfield and his run ended soon after launching a brief move 650m out. He had excuses.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (383)-YUE MAN HANDICAP - Class 5 - 2200Metres

GLAMOROUS RYDER was withdrawn on 1.2.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter BEST JADE TRIUMPH (H W Lai).

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

A veterinary examination of LIGHTNING AND GOLD, which became fractious on the float whilst being transported into Happy Valley, found the horse to be suitable to race.

As LIGHTNING AND GOLD was also involved in an incident in the float when being transported back to Sha Tin following its race at Happy Valley on 14 December 2016, the Stewards advised Mr C H Yip, trainer of LIGHTNING AND GOLD, that the horse would not be permitted to be entered for races conducted at Happy Valley in the future.

LIGHTNING AND GOLD shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of LOYAL CRAFTSMAN which became unbalanced.

SWEET BEAN was slow to begin and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Shortly after the start, WIN CHANCE shifted out and bumped TELEPHATIA.

From wide barriers, BEST JADE TRIUMPH and PRECISIONCRAFTSMAN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Passing the 2100 Metres, TELEPHATIA was momentarily crowded for room inside LOYAL CRAFTSMAN (J Moreira) which was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to that horse.

J Moreira was advised to exercise more care.

Making the turn near the 2000 Metres, GARLIC YEAH became awkward near the heels of MALAYAN PEARL when being shifted in to obtain cover behind that horse.

In this incident, both LOYAL CRAFTSMAN and TELEPHATIA which were following, were hampered.

Near the 1900 Metres, TELEPHATIA, which was racing ungenerously, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of LOYAL CRAFTSMAN which became badly unbalanced.

Near the 1800 Metres, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TELEPHATIA.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, WIN CHANCE commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed behind ISLAND FLYER.

Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LIGHTNING AND GOLD was checked away from the heels of SWEET BEAN.

Passing the 850 Metres, TELEPHATIA was shifted out after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of GARLIC YEAH.

SWEET BEAN, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence.

Near the 550 Metres, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN was momentarily crowded for room between TELEPHATIA and PRECISIONCRAFTSMAN which got its head on the side and lay in.

At the entrance to the Straight, GARLIC YEAH lay in behind MALAYAN PEARL and was awkwardly placed behind that horse.

TELEPHATIA was brushed by GARLIC YEAH a short distance after this as that horse was directed out away from the heels of MALAYAN PEARL.

For some distance approaching the 150 Metres, TELEPHATIA drifted out under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten the horse passing the 150 Metres.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding out of S Clipperton (MALAYAN PEARL), 4th placegetter, did not affect the horse's finishing position, nonetheless he was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out with sufficient vigour so as not to leave his riding open to query.

S Clipperton was advised that the Stewards had previously spoken to him on a number of occasions about his riding out of horses over the concluding stages.

When questioned, J Moreira stated that after being required to race wide and without cover throughout the race, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN became unbalanced when tightened near the 550 Metres.

He said after this LOYAL CRAFTSMAN appeared to lose interest in the race and gave ground noticeably in the Home Straight.

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

The performance of LOYAL CRAFTSMAN, which finished tailed out when favourite for tonight's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, LOYAL CRAFTSMAN 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 regarding the disappointing performance of SWEET BEAN, B Prebble stated that he was not able to offer any reason for the manner in which the horse gave ground from the 500 Metres.

He said its last start success was achieved on the All Weather Track and it may be that the horse appreciated that surface more so than tonight's surface, but irrespective SWEET BEAN shortened stride from the 500 Metres to finish at the tail of the field.

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

The performance of SWEET BEAN, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

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

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

LOYAL CRAFTSMAN, GARLIC YEAH and TELEPHATIA were sent for sampling.