Recap by phillip woo

Early favourite Go Beauty Go set a standard time on the lead and just found enough to hold on for a dead-heat result with What Else But You for a third win from his past four starts despite a rise in class. He appears to have room for further improvement. What Else But You was closing the gap late with every stride following a box-seat run and would have won with another bob of the heads. He's quickly come to hand to win his past two of four starts and looks like he'll get further as well. Energetic Class finished nicely after being snagged back from a wide gate to settle three deep with cover beyond midfield. He'll be winning shortly. Friends Of Nanjing ran on steadily travelling fore of midfield to just shade Mongolian King for fourth. He prefers firming ground. Mongolian King ducked underneath runners for a clear run at the 300m after travelling behind midfield and closed the gap late. It was a decent effort but he requires a stronger pace. Bring It On was stopping inside the 200m after covering extra ground without in a prominent spot from a wide gate. He was at his best when ridden from behind.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (489)-HYACINTH HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1600Metres

ELUSIVE STATE was slow to begin.

AMBITIOUS PINS was steadied in the early stages and shifted in to obtain cover.

From a wide barrier, AVELLINO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

Passing the 1400 Metres, MONGOLIAN KING momentarily raced in restricted room between FRIENDS OF NANJING and FULL GLORY.

N Callan (FRIENDS OF NANJING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MONGOLIAN KING (N Rawiller), resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room and hampered.

N Callan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 29 March 2017 and to expire on Monday, 3 April 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

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

For some distance after this, N Rawiller attempted to re-establish running inside FRIENDS OF NANJING which, after shifting in passing the 1100 Metres, then shifted out marginally when racing inside the heels of ULTIMATE GLORY approaching the 1000 Metres.

This resulted in MONGOLIAN KING racing to the inside of FRIENDS OF NANJING where there was not sufficient room for some distance approaching the 900 Metres at which time MONGOLIAN KING was checked after being unable to maintain its position.

N Rawiller was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have desisted in attempting to re-establish his position inside FRIENDS OF NANJING even given that that horse had shifted out marginally approaching the 1000 Metres.

MONGOLIAN KING had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight.

Near the 350 Metres, FULL GLORY shifted out and made contact with GREEN DISPATCH.

Passing the 300 Metres, ELUSIVE STATE was shifted out away from the heels of GREEN DISPATCH.

Passing the 250 Metres, FRIENDS OF NANJING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WHAT ELSE BUT YOU.

Approaching the 200 Metres, GREEN DISPATCH was awkwardly placed outside the heels of FULL GLORY which shifted out under pressure.

Near the 150 Metres, ENERGETIC CLASS shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider, J Moreira, changing his whip into his right hand.

For the majority of the race, BRING IT ON travelled wide and without cover.

WHAT ELSE BUT YOU and GO BEAUTY GO were sent for sampling.