Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Werther wore down Time Warp after settling a distant fourth in midfield to up his record to four wins from five starts over this course and distance. He's on track for the HK Cup in December. Time Warp wouldn't go down without a fight despite laying out at the 100 after reclaiming the lead 350m out chasing the runaway leader Harbour Master. He's running very well and a group win isn't far off. Nassa stuck on well settling third in the run for a minor placing. It was a good effort despite facing the best 2,000m performers following a sharp penalty for a last-start win and there appears to be more to come from him. Gold Mount was finishing very well after a patient ride second from the rear. He looks set to do Hong Kong proud in December's HK Vase over a more suitable 2,400m. Secret Weapon ran on better after travelling third from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

HELENE CHARISMA and GOLD MOUNT were crowded for room on jumping between SECRET WEAPON and DOYENI, both of which shifted ground.

GOLD MOUNT and HELENE CHARISMA were further crowded for room a short distance later when DOYENI was taken out by WERTHER.

This resulted in DOYENI, GOLD MOUNT and HELENE CHARISMA all losing ground.

In this incident, SECRET WEAPON lost its right hind plate.

Near the 650 Metres, WERTHER and NASSA raced tight.

Passing the 500 Metres, GOLD MOUNT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of DOYENI.

Approaching the 300 Metres, WERTHER was shifted out away from the heels of TIME WARP which shifted out under pressure.

TIME WARP continued to shift outwards when being ridden along and near the 150 Metres shifted out and bumped WERTHER, resulting in that horse being taken wider.

After this, TIME WARP continued to lay out over the concluding stages.

Close to the finishing line, HARBOUR MASTER and DOYENI raced tight.

In the Straight, HELENE CHARISMA hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride.

The Stewards opened an inquiry into K C Leung's riding of HARBOUR MASTER, particularly between the 1200 Metres and the 800 Metres.

K C Leung stated that he was instructed to be positive on HARBOUR MASTER in the early stages and obtain a position outside the likely leader TIME WARP.

He said if that horse did not press on to lead the race, then it was acceptable for him to lead and dictate the race.

He said in accordance with his instructions he was positive on HARBOUR MASTER in the early stages and had to ride the horse hard passing the winning post on the first occasion to obtain a position outside the leader TIME WARP.

He said at this time he was content to allow HARBOUR MASTER to race outside that horse, however, it soon became apparent to him that the rider of TIME WARP was restraining his mount and therefore he allowed HARBOUR MASTER to continue into the lead.

He said HARBOUR MASTER initially settled well in the lead, however, along the Back Straight was inclined to lay on the right rein and for this reason he kept a tight hold on the left rein in an attempt to steady HARBOUR MASTER.

He added after the 1400 Metres he had a look to his outside to establish the margin that he held over the field and as he noted that he was some lengths in front of TIME WARP, he continued to try and settle HARBOUR MASTER.

He said, despite his efforts, HARBOUR MASTER, after being ridden along in the early stages, was difficult to settle.

He said approaching the 1000 Metres he again looked over his shoulder as he was aware that the race was being run at a strong tempo and he continued in his endeavours to steady the tempo and after the 1000 Metres went for another hold on HARBOUR MASTER to try and reduce the tempo.

He said it was not until approaching the 800 Metres that he was able to get HARBOUR MASTER to relax.

Trainer J Moore confirmed the instructions given to K C Leung and advised that he would have been content for the horse to race outside TIME WARP as it did at its most recent start.

He said when it was apparent that the rider of TIME WARP was restraining the horse, he believed that Jockey Leung had fulfilled his instructions by then allowing HARBOUR MASTER to take up the running.

He said however that he was dissatisfied with K C Leung's riding of the horse along the Back Straight as the tempo of the race after the 1200 Metres did not allow HARBOUR MASTER the opportunity to finish off its race.

K C Leung was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst the other sectionals of the race were outside standard times, nonetheless his riding after the 1200 Metres required the Stewards to give consideration as to whether he had ridden his mount in such a manner so as to obtain the best possible placing.

He was further advised that, whilst in the opinion of the Stewards, there was not sufficient evidence to issue a charge in these circumstances, however, he was told that he must make every endeavour to ride his mounts in such a manner so that they are given every opportunity to finish off their race.

Mr Moore was advised that his evidence would be reported and again reminded of the advice given to him earlier today that the Stewards will closely monitor the manner in which HARBOUR MASTER is ridden in its future races.

WERTHER and TIME WARP were sent for sampling.