Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Curling Luxury assumed the lead 200m out after chasing a good tempo up front and kept on gamely to finish level with the fast-finishing Empire Of Mongolia for a maiden win at his 11th start. He had shown life signs late last season and might be able to hold his own off a light weight in Class Four. Specked at big odds, Empire Of Mongolia came on strongly down the outside after travelling third from the rear in clearly his best run to date from 17 starts. Richard Gibson deserves a round of applause for turning him around after he joined the yard only in June. He was suited by the pace and will need to prove this was not a one-off effort. Fun Manager closed off well after losing some ground travelling behind midfield at the 700m. It was another positive effort on the back of a placing in June and he's near a bottom. No Laughing Matter ran after travelling outside Fun Manager to snatch fourth on the wire.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three: (31) - LOS ANGELES HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1650Meters

FUN MANAGER shifted out at the start and bumped NO LAUGHING MATTER which became unbalanced.

Shortly after the start, NO LAUGHING MATTER raced tight inside DUTCH WINDMILL which shifted in.

From wide barriers, LE PANACHE and EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners.

O Doleuze (DUTCH WINDMILL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after passing the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of NO LAUGHING MATTER, causing that horse to be hampered and in turn taken in onto FUN MANAGER which was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled.

O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 24 September 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 28 September 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, O Doleuze was fined $10,000.

After the 1300 Metres, TEAM SWEET got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of DUTCH WINDMILL.

Passing the 1000 Metres, BORN TO RACE and DUTCH WINDMILL raced very tight as a result of BORN TO RACE shifting out away from the heels of EMPEROR VICTORY and DUTCH WINDMILL being ridden along to maintain its position behind CURLING LUXURY.

Also passing the 1000 Metres, FUN MANAGER got its head up when being checked away from the heels of TEAM SWEET which continued to lay out and race awkwardly.

Approaching the 800 Metres, EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NO LAUGHING MATTER.

Approaching the 700 Metres, EMPEROR VICTORY commenced to give ground abruptly and was retired out of the race a short distance later.

When EMPEROR VICTORY gave ground abruptly, FUN MANAGER attempted to improve into very tight running between EMPEROR VICTORY and TEAM SWEET where there was not sufficient room, resulting in FUN MANAGER being checked.

A veterinary inspection of EMPEROR VICTORY immediately following the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils, was exhibiting signs of post-race distress and was found to be displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, EMPEROR VICTORY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of EMPEROR VICTORY, was spoken to regarding the Veterinary Officer's report in respect of that horse.

Mr Tsui undertook to discuss the horse's racing future with the owners of EMPEROR VICTORY before reporting back to the Stewards.

After initially being shifted to the inside of GOBI STORM in an endeavour to obtain clear running passing the 300 Metres, BORN TO RACE was directed to the outside of that horse when disappointed for running inside GOBI STORM which shifted in.

The performance of LE PANACHE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

The performance of BE THERE AHEAD, which also finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Having regard that this was this second consecutive occasion that BE THERE AHEAD had finished tailed out, the Stewards ruled that the horse must again undergo a series of consecutive competitive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again.

A veterinary inspection of TEAM SWEET, LE PANACHE and BE THERE AHEAD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

BORN TO RACE, CURLING LUXURY and EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA were sent for sampling.