Recap by phillip woo

General Sherman got through a tight gap after travelling behind midfield along the fence to blouse the favourites for an upset win. He had been racing consistently all season long and the pull in weights was the difference in the end. Rocketeer swept to the lead 250m out following a handy run and was just collared close to home. He lost nothing in defeat and remains on target for next season's Derby. Helene Charisma came on strongly after travelling third from the rear to just miss second by a bob of heads. He'll be a force to be reckoned with over 2,000m and further next season. Doyeni was short of room until the 150m following a box-seat run and kept on gamely to just miss a placing. He can return to the winner's circle next over a mile to 2,000m. Dinozzo was twice badly hampered when trying to wind up from the second half of the field. He should have finished closer and should be kept safe next season over 1,800m and further. Heavilybacked at the jump, Prawn Baba only plodded over the final 150m after pulling out with every chance following a box-seat run. He 'needs the break. Green Dispatch faded 150m out after going too hard up front but this was too rich anyway.

Racing Incident Report

Race Nine: (787)-POK FU LAM COUNTRY PARK HANDICAP - Class 2 - 2000Metres

DYNAMISM was withdrawn on 8.7.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left fore fetlock).

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

ANDOYAS was slow to begin.

GENERAL SHERMAN began awkwardly and then was crowded for room with RENAISSANCE ART between PRAWN BABA which shifted in marginally and ROCKETEER which shifted out.

Passing the 1700 Metres, ANDOYAS raced tight between HAPPILABABY and HELENE CHARISMA.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, SUPREME PROFIT shifted out marginally and made heavy contact with the hindquarters of BASIC TRILOGY which was laying in.

This resulted in BASIC TRILOGY becoming badly unbalanced and being turned in across the running of SUPREME PROFIT, causing that horse to be checked.

When SUPREME PROFIT was checked, that horse shifted in and bumped PRAWN BABA which in turn shifted in and bumped RENAISSANCE ART.

GENERAL SHERMAN, which was racing to the inside of RENAISSANCE ART, was steadied when crowded for room between RENAISSANCE ART and ROCKETEER and in doing so became badly unbalanced.

After being turned in across SUPREME PROFIT, BASIC TRILOGY was then awkwardly placed inside the heels of GREEN DISPATCH (Apprentice H T Mo) which, when being ridden along, got its head on the side and lay in.

In this incident, Apprentice Mo stopped riding GREEN DISPATCH and attempted to shift that horse out to relieve the tightening to BASIC TRILOGY.

Apprentice Mo was advised that whilst the primary reason for SUPREME PROFIT being checked was as a result of contact on the hindquarters by BASIC TRILOGY, nonetheless in similar circumstances he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground HAPPILABABY lost its right hind plate near the 450 Metres.

Passing the 400 Metres, DINOZZO was shifted out away from the heels of DOYENI which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of PRAWN BABA.

DINOZZO was then held up for clear running from near the 350 Metres until passing the 300 Metres.

DOYENI also had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 250 Metres.

DINOZZO was again badly held up for clear running over the final 150 Metres and consequently was not able to be tested.

PRAWN BABA raced in restricted room between DOYENI and ROCKETEER over the concluding stages and was not able to be fully tested.

HELENE CHARISMA hung in badly in the Straight and proved difficult to ride and passing the 200 Metres shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of GENERAL SHERMAN which became unbalanced.

HELENE CHARISMA continued to hang in and raced tight outside GENERAL SHERMAN for some distance and then passing the 100 Metres hung in further, resulting in GENERAL SHERMAN being crowded onto ROCKETEER which became unbalanced after being bumped by GENERAL SHERMAN.

During this incident, Z Purton was not able to properly test HELENE CHARISMA due to the horse??s racing manners which were considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, HELENE CHARISMA will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.

BASIC TRILOGY lost its right front plate after the race.

When questioned regarding the tempo he set on GREEN DISPATCH, particularly between the 1600 Metres and the 1200 Metres, Apprentice H T Mo stated that he was able to cross DOYENI after the 1700 Metres and then immediately took hold of his mount in an endeavour to steady the tempo.

He said when BASIC TRILOGY improved to be racing outside GREEN DISPATCH after the 1500 Metres, his mount commenced to travel keenly, however, he did not realize that he was setting as fast a tempo as he was at this time.

He said after having been made aware of the sectionals of the race after the 1600 Metres, he believed that in retrospect he had erred in not making more of an effort to steady the tempo during this part of the race.

Apprentice Mo, in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr C S Shum, was told that as an apprentice who has had a good deal of experience both in Hong Kong and overseas, he should have been more aware of the tempo that set on GREEN DISPATCH.

He was advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they are able to finish off their race to the best of their ability.

The Stewards will interview S Clipperton, the rider of PRAWN BABA, regarding his riding of that horse from the 600 Metres prior to the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 12 July 2017.

A veterinary inspection of BASIC TRILOGY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

The performance of BASIC TRILOGY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, BASIC TRILOGY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

GENERAL SHERMAN and ROCKETEER were sent for sampling.