Recap by phillip woo

All Great Friends bounced nicely to lead from gate one and just held off the late surge of Harrier Jet for a fifth career win over this Valley trip. He had put the writing on the wall with a near win two starts back but might find things harder again on a win line following a penalty. Harrier Jet stayed on well following a prominent run along the fence carrying top weight. He was giving the winner 17-pounds which was the difference in the end but should be winning shortly if he remains in the grade. All Best Friends ran on steadily following a midfield run to inject some value into the tierce in his best performance from four starts. He's heading in the right direction. Favourite Powermax produced only a grinding effort in the drive following a prominent run without cover from a wide gate. He had to work too hard and can't be written off when next stepping out. Dollar Reward kept on all right after going forward to stalk the leader. He hasn't disgraced in his three local starts but appears to need more time to settle in. Sharp Hunter blew his chance after missing the kick. You can put a pen through this run.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (749)-LANTAU ISLAND HANDICAP (Sec1) - Class 3 - 1200Metres

HELLA HEDGE was withdrawn on 20.6.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (heart irregularity) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter ROYAL MOJITO (W M Lai).

DIEGO KOSTA was also withdrawn on 20.6.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter ALL BEST FRIENDS (H W Lai).

Before being allowed to race again, HELLA HEDGE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination whilst DIEGO KOSTA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

SHARP HUNTER was slow to begin.

ROYAL MOJITO bounded in the air at the start, shifted in and bumped WHAT MAN HORSE, causing both horses to become unbalanced.

After this, both WHAT MAN HORSE and ROYAL MOJITO were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

ALL GREAT FRIENDS shifted out at the start and bumped AMAZING RACE.

POWERMAX began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped JOLLY CONVERGENCE.

Passing the 900 Metres, COLCHESTER was checked when momentarily crowded for room between ALL GREAT FRIENDS which shifted out marginally and POWERMAX (Apprentice M F Poon) which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.

When COLCHESTER was checked, JOLLY CONVERGENCE, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that COLCHESTER's racing manners, after being momentarily crowded for room, had exacerbated this incident, nonetheless Apprentice Poon was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

In the early part of the Straight, POWERMAX lay in and initially proved reluctant to shift to the outside of DOLLAR REWARD.

Over the concluding stages, JOLLY CONVERGENCE raced tight inside DOLLAR REWARD, resulting in JOLLY CONVERGENCE not being able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

SHARP HUNTER, which was racing to the inside of JOLLY CONVERGENCE, was inconvenienced in consequence.

Throughout the race, POWERMAX travelled wide and without cover.

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

POWERMAX, ALL GREAT FRIENDS and HARRIER JET were sent for sampling.