Recap by phillip woo

Smashed late in betting, Beauty Generation was well rated by Derek Leung Ka-chun after clearing to the front from a wide gate at the 1,100m and kept up a strong gallop to win comfortably. Stayers like him can sprint well fresh. Odds-on choice Seasons Bloom closed off well near the inside after travelling worse than midfield in his first group test. He's got a bright future. Time Warp stayed on well to fill a placing following a prominent run along the fence. It was a terrific effort in his first group test and does prefer longer trips. Winner's Way had his chance stalking the speed and found a few too good in the run to the wire. He's honest but might be near his mark. Beauty Only closed off well from the back with the big weight and track conditions going against him. He'll be a force to be reckoned with in the up-and-coming mile majors. Booming Delight stayed on well after covering extra ground beyond midfield. He's crying out for further.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eight: (80) - THE CELEBRATION CUP (HANDICAP) - Class G3 - 1400Meters

Upon entering the track, Apprentice H N Wong was dislodged from NEW ASIA SUNRISE which galloped only a short distance before being recaptured.

On arrival at the barriers, NEW ASIA SUNRISE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who reported that the horse was fit to start.

Apprentice Wong was cleared by the Club's Racing Medical Officer to fulfil his ride on NEW ASIA SUNRISE.

After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that NEW ASIA SUNRISE had sustained a small overreach wound to the inside of the left front heel.

SEASONS BLOOM had its left front plate refitted behind the barriers.

SEASONS BLOOM was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed fit to start.

WINNER'S WAY began awkwardly, shifted in soon after the start and bumped HARBOUR MASTER.

WESTERN EXPRESS began only fairly.

Approaching the 1100 Metres, BOOMING DELIGHT was shifted out away from the heels of CONTENTMENT.

At the entrance to the Straight, SEASONS BLOOM was shifted to the inside of the heels of TIME WARP to obtain clear running.

When attempting to establish clear running to the outside of CONTENTMENT in the early part of the Straight, WESTERN EXPRESS became very awkward on the heels of CONTENTMENT when that horse shifted out away from NEW ASIA SUNRISE which shifted out approaching the 250 Metres.

ROMANTIC TOUCH, which was racing to the outside of the heels of WESTERN EXPRESS, was inconvenienced as a consequence.

Approaching the 200 Metres, EAGLE WAY was directed out away from the heels of TIME WARP which shifted out under pressure before being straightened by its rider.

Passing the 50 Metres, NEW ASIA SUNRISE was inconvenienced by EAGLE WAY which shifted out away from TIME WARP.

GIANT TREASURE and BOOMING DELIGHT travelled wide and without cover for the majority of the race.

When questioned regarding the instructions he was given and his riding of TIME WARP in the early stages, K C Ng stated that he was given two sets of instructions which were if the horse began well and was able to lead without being pressured, he was free to do so, however, if another runner was to show superior speed, he should assume the box seat.

He said it was anticipated that the stablemate WINNER'S WAY may show superior speed to TIME WARP, however, he reiterated that he had the option of either leading or taking the box seat on his mount.

He said after beginning reasonably, he rode TIME WARP positively from the barriers, however, in the initial stages NEW ASIA SUNRISE, which was racing to the outside of TIME WARP, showed superior pace and after riding his mount along for the first 100 Metres, he decided to allow TIME WARP to roll along comfortably at its own speed without steadying the horse.

He said in accordance with his instructions he was happy to take up a position behind the leader on TIME WARP.

The Stewards questioned Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of TIME WARP, who confirmed that he had given Jockey Ng the option of leading or taking a position on the speed, depending on the circumstances in the early stages of the race.

He said he felt that TIME WARP may have been outpaced over the 1400 Metres of today's race as it had generally led over 1600 Metres and 1800 Metres previously.

When questioned as to the instructions he issued to D Whyte, the rider of the stablemate WINNER'S WAY, Mr Cruz advised that he issued identical instructions to Jockey Whyte in that he had the option to lead if the horse showed sufficient pace, but also to take up a prominent position near the speed if the horse was not able to lead.

When questioned, D Whyte confirmed those instructions, but advised the Stewards that his mount did not show sufficient speed to lead BEAUTY GENERATION which showed superior pace from an outside barrier.

The Stewards also questioned K C Ng regarding his riding of TIME WARP in the Straight, in particular the reason he persevered to shift to the outside of WINNER'S WAY when a run became available to the inside of that horse soon after straightening.

He explained that on the Home Turn he was following the eventual winner BEAUTY GENERATION and as the horse was an outsider he felt that the best option was to shift out and initially follow WINNER'S WAY and then come to the outside of that horse.

He said in the early part of the Straight, despite his endeavours to shift TIME WARP out, that horse got its head on the side, hung in and was reluctant to come to the outside of WINNER'S WAY.

He added whilst WINNER'S WAY ultimately shifted out near the 300 Metres and presented running to its inside, he felt that he was committed to come to the outside of WINNER'S WAY at this stage.

He said after being directed to the outside of WINNER'S WAY and placed under pressure, TIME WARP closed off the race well.

K C Ng was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was advised to keep his options open in a race and to take advantageous runs as they become available.

When questioned, K Teetan stated that with the slow tempo in the middle stages and with the race developing into a sprint home, WESTERN EXPRESS was not suited and this, in his view, was the reason for the horse's performance which may have appeared to be disappointing on face value.

A veterinary inspection of WESTERN EXPRESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

BEAUTY GENERATION and SEASONS BLOOM were sent for sampling.