Recap by phillip woo

The race was marred by a nasty fall when Victory Day demolished the running rail and came down at the 1,000m and an issue by the riderless Mr Potential passing the 400m. Classic Emperor settled box-seat after avoiding the fallen horse Victory Day, hit the front 380m out and just held off Energetic Class for the win. He had a few favours go his way but does usually make his luck on or near the speed. Energetic Class came on strongly after a patient ride third from the rear. He's a winner waiting to happen over the 1,400m or 1,600m. Sunny Way stayed on well for a placing despite being forced off the course at the 650m by a riderless horse. He can win his way out of the grade soon. Top Act closed well from near last after taking evasion action to avoid Victory Day and Mr Potential 1,000m out. Quick Return lost ground to travel a distant last when inconvenienced 1,000m out but finish up nicely down the outside. He's shown some promise in his two starts and has a bright future going forward. The riderless Mr Potential veered in to poleax Pretty Bauhinia, favourite Regency Bo Bo, Hard Ball Get and Right Call so those four can be forgiven for this run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (723)-HKU FACULTY OF ARTS HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Metres

GREEN ENERGY was withdrawn on 9.6.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (inappetence).

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

CLASSIC EMPEROR and VICTORY DAY bumped at the start.

ENERGETIC CLASS shifted in at the start and bumped REGENCY BO BO.

Shortly after the start, RIGHT CALL was momentarily steadied away from the heels of PRETTY BAUHINIA (C Murray) which shifted in before being directed back out.

C Murray was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground.

From wide barriers, TOP ACT and MR POTENTIAL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

The Stewards interviewed M L Yeung, the rider of VICTORY DAY, in the presence of Mr A Lee, the trainer of that horse, regarding an incident at about the 1050 Metres.

M L Yeung stated that after crossing into the lead approaching the 1100 Metres, VICTORY DAY continued inwards of its own accord and propped prior to making contact with the rail.

When this occurred, VICTORY DAY became badly unbalanced, made heavy contact with the rail and fell, resulting in M L Yeung being dislodged.

Mr Lee stated that VICTORY DAY was having its 14th start in Hong Kong after racing overseas.

He said when trained by him, the horse had never shown an inclination to perform in this manner.

A veterinary inspection of VICTORY DAY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in the right front leg with wounds to the right front and hind legs.

The Stewards ruled that VICTORY DAY will be required to barrier trial satisfactorily around a bend and close to the rail on no less than three consecutive occasions and in the immediate future the horse must be ridden by a senior jockey and will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Mr Lee was also advised that in track work it will be required for VICTORY DAY to be ridden by no less than a senior work rider.

When VICTORY DAY fell, CLASSIC EMPEROR, which was following, was hampered and shifted out, causing RIGHT CALL to be inconvenienced.

REGENCY BO BO was hampered after having to be shifted out away from the heels of RIGHT CALL.

HARD BALL GET, THE JUDGE, TOP ACT, ENERGETIC CLASS and QUICK RETURN were all severely checked in consequence.

SUNNY WAY was also hampered in this incident.

MR POTENTIAL was unable to avoid the riderless VICTORY DAY which resulted in T H So being dislodged from that horse.

T H So was subsequently transported to hospital.

A veterinary inspection of MR POTENTIAL immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in the left front leg.

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

Making the turn after the 900 Metres, THE JUDGE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of SUNNY WAY.

For some distance after the 750 Metres, SUNNY WAY was severely hampered and taken wider by the riderless MR POTENTIAL.

THE JUDGE lost its right front plate approaching the 600 Metres.

Passing the 500 Metres, HARD BALL GET and REGENCY BO BO raced tight.

Passing the 400 Metres, RIGHT CALL was steadied away from the heels of the riderless MR POTENTIAL which shifted in and collided with PRETTY BAUHINIA which became badly unbalanced and then was taken in further by MR POTENTIAL, causing PRETTY BAUHINIA, REGENCY BO BO and HARD BALL GET to all be severely checked.

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

REGENCY BO BO, CLASSIC EMPEROR and ENERGETIC CLASS were sent for sampling.