Recap by phillip woo

Again, the front was the place to be. Post-time favourite Fantastic Eight led and never looked back to up his record to three wins and five seconds from as many starts. He should remain competitive off a light weight in Class Two at either track. Gamechangers finished well after settling one off worse than midfield to snatch second from Golden Harvest at only his third career start. He's shown ability in two of his three starts and likely wants a further trip. Golden Harvest had every chance in the box seat. He's beyond his better years and may need to drop further off a lighter weight if he wants to return to the winner's circle. Smart Boy kept grinding away following one-off run in midfield to finish a non-threatening fourth to continue his consistent form this term over this Valley trip. Charity Glory was doing some nice work late but got too far back on a leader's track. Early favourite Sam's Love never ran on travelling fourth from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five: (177) - THE AMERICAN CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP) - Class 3 - 1200Meters

FAIRY TWINS was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (injury to right front foot).

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

CHARITY GLORY shifted out at the start, resulting in SWOT WINDICATOR being crowded for room inside KING MORTAR.

After this, SWOT WINDICATOR was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

LOADED shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of BLAZE STAMINA which became unbalanced.

After this, LOADED, from a wide barrier, was shifted across behind runners.

After the 800 Metres, CHARITY GLORY raced tight inside SAM'S LOVE.

Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SWOT WINDICATOR raced tight inside CHARITY GLORY which got its head on the side and lay in away from SAM'S LOVE.

Near the 250 Metres, KING MORTAR got its head on the side and shifted in away from SMART BOY, resulting in the horse being momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of BLAZE STAMINA.

NEW ELEGANCE hung in under pressure in the Straight and proved difficult to ride.

LOADED lost its left front plate after the race.

When questioned, A Badel stated that he was asked to ride SAM'S LOVE where it was comfortable, but not to ride it along aggressively in the early stages.

He said it was explained to him that after being ridden from off the speed in its first race start when successful, the horse had not finished off its races as well when ridden in a forward position at its subsequent two race starts and therefore he was asked to ensure that the horse was settled so that it would close off the race.

He said in the early stages he anticipated that GAMECHANGERS would shift across to race on the rail behind GOLDEN HARVEST and he would be able to shift across with that horse and obtain a position one horse off the rail in about midfield.

He said however that after the 1100 Metres NEW ELEGANCE was ridden along to improve its position inside GAMECHANGERS which resulted in that horse remaining in a one-off position which caused SAM'S LOVE to be left racing in a three wide position.

He said SAM'S LOVE made the turn near the 1000 Metres awkwardly and as the horse was travelling keenly, he was not able to steady it sufficiently to immediately race behind GAMECHANGERS.

He said however that this did not overly concern him as he had cover behind SMART BOY at this time, so he was comfortable to continue racing to the outside of GAMECHANGERS and follow SMART BOY into a more forward position.

He added however that SMART BOY was able to shift in to obtain a position in front of GAMECHANGERS after the 800 Metres, therefore he steadied SAM'S LOVE in an attempt to obtain cover behind GAMECHANGERS.

He said he was able to obtain partial cover after the 700 Metres.

He said SAM'S LOVE was unbalanced making the turn after the 600 Metres due to its inexperience and then after being placed under pressure did not finish off the race as expected.

He said however that he believed at its first time of asking at Happy Valley, under lights, the horse was not entirely comfortable and he recommended to connections that they consider returning the horse to Sha Tin if there is a suitable race.

Trainer C H Yip stated that after SAM'S LOVE trialed well at Happy Valley in the lead up to the race, he expected it to race well tonight.

He said it was hoped that the horse would be able to obtain a position in about midfield or slightly in front of midfield, however, he stressed to Jockey Badel that he did not want the horse being used up in the early stages as it had disappointed him at its last two races last season when not able to finish off the race after being ridden along to obtain a forward position.

He added whilst Jockey Badel had recommended to him that SAM'S LOVE be returned to Sha Tin, he would give further consideration to the horse's programme as, in his opinion, it had trialed particularly well at Happy Valley prior to tonight's race.

A veterinary inspection of SAM'S LOVE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

FANTASTIC EIGHT and GAMECHANGERS were sent for sampling.