Recap by phillip woo

Megatron finished strongly after pulling widest at the 300m following a rails run in midfield to get up in the last stride for a maiden win at his 11th start. It was a vastly-improved run on his past 10 starts and he'll need to prove this was no fluke. Grand Harbour zipped along uncontested on the lead and was only nipped late. He's in the right grade and will be winning shortly. Mutual Joy got up for a placing 50m out following a box-seat run for a placing to continue his good form following a switch to the Valley 1,650m in his past five starts. Casa Master took off 700m out travelling fourth from the rear to sit second coming to the final bend and peaked on his run 100m out. He's likely on or near his mark following a win two starts back. Late-fancied favourite Po Ching Treasure ran on steadily after finding a spot behind midfield along the fence from a wide gate. He's one to keep safe when he draws a proper gate. Early favourite Cheers Conqueror never let down pulling out coming to the final bend after travelling worse than midfield one off with cover. He's better at Sha Tin.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two: (419)-YUK SAU HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Metres

MEGATRON began awkwardly.

FRUITFUL LIFE began awkwardly and, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Despite being hard ridden in the early stages, PO CHING TREASURE failed to muster speed.

Approaching and passing the winning post on the first occasion, CHEERS CONQUEROR travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover behind FLYING MACHINE.

After the 1200 Metres, GRAND HARBOUR travelled keenly in the lead.

Passing the 700 Metres, FLYING MACHINE, which was laying out, was taken wider by MUTUAL JOY (T H So) which shifted out after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of DON WONGCHOY.

As FLYING MACHINE was being taken out by MUTUAL JOY, CASA MASTER (N Rawiller) improved quickly outside FLYING MACHINE and shifted in marginally which resulted in FLYING MACHINE being steadied and losing its running.

The Stewards were of the view that T H So was entitled to shift away from the rail given his position in respect of FLYING MACHINE and the fact that that horse was laying out.

It was further established that when being taken out, the minimal shift from CASA MASTER contributed significantly to FLYING MACHINE being crowded for room.

Given the circumstances, no further action was taken other than to advise T H So to exercise due care when shifting ground and to advise N Rawiller to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground.

Near the 250 Metres, RAICHU momentarily raced in restricted room between GO-GETTER and FLYING MACHINE which shifted in marginally when giving ground.

Passing the winning post, GRAND HARBOUR became badly unbalanced and made heavy contact with the running rail, resulting in O Doleuze sustaining an injury to his right foot and causing him to have to dismount from GRAND HARBOUR on pulling up.

GRAND HARBOUR was then returned to the unsaddling area whilst O Doleuze underwent medical treatment.

Acting under the powers of Rule 112(5), weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge without O Doleuze having to weigh in.

The Stewards permitted weighed-in to be declared to prevent an unreasonable delay to the declaration of weighed-in and as they were satisfied that there were no circumstances which suggested that less than the proper weight had been carried by GRAND HARBOUR throughout the race.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHEERS CONQUEROR, S Clipperton said when being steadied to obtain cover behind FLYING MACHINE in the early stages, CHEERS CONQUEROR commenced to travel keenly and at this time commenced to make an abnormal breathing noise.

He said CHEERS CONQUEROR continued to make this noise for the remainder of the race and further, he was of the view that the horse did not handle the Happy Valley circuit at its first time of asking in a race.

He added that after the race he suggested to connections that they may wish to consider applying a tongue tie to CHEERS CONQUEROR and to return the horse to Sha Tin as CHEERS CONQUEROR did not travel comfortably at any stage of tonight's race.

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

The performance of CHEERS CONQUEROR, which was second favourite for tonight's race, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, CHEERS CONQUEROR 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 FLYING MACHINE, B Prebble stated that he was able to obtain a good position on the horse in the early stages.

He said FLYING MACHINE travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and at the 1000 Metres he became concerned with the manner in which the horse was travelling.

He said on entering the Back Straight near the 900 Metre FLYING MACHINE commenced to lay out and was reluctant to maintain its position outside MUTUAL JOY.

He said after sustaining interference passing the 700 Metres, FLYING MACHINE came under heavy pressure and, despite being ridden out, did not finish off the race.

He added that FLYING MACHINE raced "flat" in tonight's race.

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

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

PO CHING TREASURE, MEGATRON and GRAND HARBOUR were sent for sampling.