Recap by phillip woo

Game Of Fun went forward to stalk the leader Very Rich Man from a wide gate, poked his head in front passing the 200m and just held off the late surge of Contribution to open his win account following back-to-back seconds following a switch to the Valley. He might be able to score another at the top of the grade. Contribution surged late following a prominent run to make it close on the wire with a tonne of money for him late. He relished a switch to the Valley but the youngster is open to further improvement. Very Rich Man was on his tippy toes 100m out after leading from an awkward gate. The big weight took its toll. Favourite G-One Lover eventually got going after landing a spot one-off the fence worse than midfield from an outside gate. He's run well in both outings following a return to racing and is crying out over the 1,400m. Golden Achiever was badly hampered when trying to go for a run between runners at the 200m following a rails run in midfield. He can be forgiven for this run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (438)-KWAI CHUNG HANDICAP (Sec2) - Class 4 - 1200Metres

KWAICHUNG BROTHERS was slow to begin.

GOLDEN ACHIEVER shifted in at the start and bumped AH BO.

ROCKET LET WIN began only fairly and then shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room inside VERY RICH MAN which shifted in.

G-ONE LOVER shifted in at the start and bumped GAME OF FUN.

From the outside barrier, BRIGHT STAR got its head up when being steadied to be shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

CONTRIBUTION lost its right hind plate after the 900 Metres.

Approaching and passing the 500 Metres, AH BO got its head on the side and lay out.

For the majority of the race, ROCKET LET WIN travelled wide and without cover.

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred approaching the 200 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether DR RACE (B Prebble) should be declared the 5th placegetter.

When N Callan, the rider of the 6th placegetter, GOLDEN ACHIEVER, did not enter a formal protest/objection on behalf of the connections of GOLDEN ACHIEVER, the Stewards believed that it was appropriate for the matter to proceed to a formal/objection hearing.

Whilst these placings did not affect betting, it was relevant that there was the issue of prizemoney in respect of the 5th placegetter.

After taking evidence from B Prebble, Mr S K Sit, assistant trainer allocated to Mr D E Ferraris, the trainer of DR RACE, and N Callan, it was found that approaching the 200 Metres DR RACE was shifted to the outside of GAME OF FUN to obtain clear running which resulted in GOLDEN ACHIEVER being checked and losing its rightful running when crowded for room inside CONTRIBUTION.

Having regard to the neck margin between both horses at the end of the race and the manner in which they were finishing off the race, the Stewards were satisfied that had the interference not occurred GOLDEN ACHIEVER would have finished in front of DR RACE.

Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No.

3, GAME OF FUN, 1st; No.

11, CONTRIBUTION, 2nd; No.

1, VERY RICH MAN, 3rd; No.

9, G-ONE LOVER, 4th; No.

2, GOLDEN ACHIEVER, 5th; and No.

4, DR RACE, 6th.

N Callan was advised that in similar circumstances he must be aware of the placings of horses and to ensure that he has the interests of connections in mind.

At a subsequent inquiry, B Prebble pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] and was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 8 March 2017 and to expire on Monday, 13 March 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Prebble's good race riding record.

G-ONE LOVER, GAME OF FUN and CONTRIBUTION were sent for sampling.